I’m bringing sexy back! Why I don’t do crunches or full sit-ups for flat abs; Yoga and Pilates for me
*DISCLAIMER* As always, what I write about is not professional opinion…just my opinion base on my experience. I promised my girl Dagny a blog about why I don’t do crunches or full sit-ups.
You want flat abs as many of our buddyslimmers here desire. Despite the facts, many people still think they can get flat abs if they just keep doing enough ab exercises. We think we can’t reach this goal because we’re doing doing something wrong. The reality, getting six-pack abs is hard and, if you haven’t seen yours yet, maybe it’s not what you’re doing that is preventing you from getting them.
The truth is, flat abs are difficult to get. I will never have flat abs but I’m ok with that. I want to look lean all around.
Wanna know what you really need for flat abs?
Despite what you think, ab exercises are NOT the number one thing you need to do for flat abs. In fact, getting flat abs requires hard work, commitment and something else you have no control over: genes.
The only way to get flat abs is to lose body fat and you already know what that requires:
1. Regular cardio exercises
2. Strength conditioning overall 2 to 3 times a week
3. Healthy eating
Why I am not a fan of crunches and sit-ups
1000 sit ups and crunches a day and still no abs! “1000+ reps of ab work four days a week is an amazing feat of endurance, but that’s not how you get abs! You probably have outstanding development in your abdominal muscles. Unfortunately, if your abs are covered up with a layer of fat, you won’t be able to see them no matter how many crunches or sit ups you do. You “get abs” from reducing your body fat and you reduce body fat mostly through diet and cardio.” From a body building article.
So, what should you do? What would I suggest? My suggestion, strive for a strong core. Your core is your powerhouse. Weak core, not as much strength to carry through intensive workout. Strong core…..you will kiss some nice a$$. It doesn’t matter if you kickbox, swim,bike, run,walk, lift weights, practice yoga, pilates, climb mountains, run a marathon, swim a triathlon, you need a strong center.
What’s makes up your core?
From an article. Strengthening your ‘core muscles’ on a regular basis is one of the most important things you can do. These muscles include everything from your chest to your pelvis, with the abdominal muscles and lower-back muscles being the most important. Good ‘core strength’ is vitally important for complete fitness!
I am so not a fan of crunches either. Only do them when I have to as warm-up mainly if anything. Other then that I recommend yoga, pilates and push-ups to gain core strength. A consistant yoga and Pilates practice will help you strength your core thus give you a lean look, the one we all strive for. Push-ups because it’s my favorite single body conditioning regimen. I hope to add my 400 puhs-ups into my routine real real soon.
Mat-based Pilates – the most popular form of Pilates. This is a series of exercises performed on the floor using gravity and your own body weight to provide the resistance. The central aim is to condition the deeper, supporting muscles of the body to improve posture, balance and coordination.
Just remember to learn the different breath for yoga and Pilates. Never ever hold your breath. You instructor, well I can tell because you will look stiff. Breath, do your exercise and get those sexy abs.
ONE MORE THING - WHY SEXY BACK??? If you want to have nice abs - you must work on having a strong back!!!! Don’t forget, everything ties into together.
I missed last night’s class because I was tired and Rod wants me home.
I just got back from a kickboxing class and it was the bomb!!!!!!!!!! I am so pumped! 
Can’t wait for weights and yoga tomorrow. Weights is my own interval routine.
On the food front - I think I hit 2000 calories no problem probably 1700-2000!!! Darn darn people!!! Why did they bring chocolate into the house!!!!!!!!!!!! 
I know I set a goal to eat that much but I am mad I did. Makes no sense but it’s done. And I didn’t enjoy the chocolate. AUNT FLOW is so on her way to my house.
I ate sooooo well all day, but I snapped just a bit and ate more then I intended tonight. It’s all good, first high cal day due to chocolate but good food all day long. Night done…looking forward to tomorrow.
hehe that’s not what Britney Spears says, I read an article about how she does like 100 crunches a day or something…it makes me chuckle when reading your blog…I kept thinking that. What if you don’t know if you have it in your genes to have abs because no one in your family has ever tried? hehehe Maybe I’ll make a historic discovery in my family tree, we had the ability to have 6 packs…if only we had known!
On a more serious note….I am SO with you. Hence why I do my “Core” class once a week! If only I could like pushups…
Also, I think you are pretty qualified to say you have flat abs, it looks like it from your pics at least.
I am still hesitant about pilates….maybe I will make a special trip and try out a class sometime soon.
ooooooohhhh it ate my comment right up….
Holly - try Pilates! I hope you get a great instructor! The breath is different from yoga. It is such a great great great workout!
I love yoga!!
Me too!!! *smiles* It’s been a part of my life for almost 4 years. Ask Rod, I take the flexibility to you know where hehe…
I do yoga 3 days a week. I do the ab crunches for back strength for lifting babies. Yoga is fantastic. Has really kept me sane.
I so agree with you! I practice yoga for my sanity as well. Lord knows, I would hurt someone if I didn’t get my exercise in.
Great job!
Sound advice especially the three reasons you listed. It makes complete sense.
Sound advice especially the three reasons you listed. It makes complete sense.
I agree with you. It is a reason why I do pilates and I am in no hurry for my another classes (I hate youga:)).
Great info! I love pilates so much more then most yoga, though I do love Hard Body Yoga. Thank you. *hugs*
i’m with you on the core - it saved my back years ago and i am counting on getting that strong again so i can run, bike, swim in june! now, you lay off that chocolate, would ya?????
Hey girl,
You know I read these things and then forget it lol. I’ve read exactly what you have written and yet, what did I do..when I was working out…crunches. Eye Roll.
I do like the yoga, but like everything else..I’ve let it slide. I dont know about the pilates…last time I tried it…I was just too fat and couldnt do it. That was a long time ago though.
I am laying out a routine today and getting back on track with the workouts.
Hands on hips…what??? You ate some chocolate and didnt enjoy it?? Own it girl, if you want it, eat a little and enjoy it–whats the point otherwise. You know, right, that there is no bad food? (comes directly from kama’s articles) lol. Moderation and I’ve seen your daily food logs–you have no worries. (at least from my point of view)
Aunt flo…OMG…looks for tissues and finds jokes in case of emergency. lol
Love ya girl, Debbie
Terry, yes girl! You have to balance those reasons and I believe yoga and Pilates to get the body you want.
Both Debbies on oh Yah! Debbie you will be back there one day. ONE WORD EGGPLANT!!!!!!!!!!! ROFLMAO
Jennifer, loved your pics!!!! I love both formats so much!
Olga - try it more then once. First time I did it I stopped. Took me 3 months to go back and it stuck.
Debbie! I didn’t like the chocolate - too sweet. I should just stick with the chocolate in its natural form like how my boss has it.
Hey, what’s your routine? Keep me posted.
Fixin’ to eat my oatmeal before I leave for weights and yoga.
I do need to work more on my core…thanks for the info Miss SEXY BACK :)Good luck preparing for Aunt Flo too…yuck!
Great blog. Whew, I never liked sit-ups. Good to know this. Thanks!!
nancy got booted out by im back…..love this and i am so printing this one…..i have a few pilates dvd’s ……will try to do push up even if i only start with little at the time……thankyou for some good stuff here….i sure got a long way to go…….H5 my friend for always giving us great advice..
I think I might print this too! Good stuff, thanks for blogging about Pilates for me!
I have heard that for most people, to get a six pack abs, they need to weigh less that what is healthy and exercise a lot!
I really do not want or need a six pack…haha I’d settle for just a flat belly. But I have heard that Pilates helps posture, and if it makes your back strong, that by itself should still leave anyone looking good!?
Oh and I just discovered a new plank trick! To neutralize your wrists, make fists and stuff. I think this will help because my wrists start to hurt after doing the planks for a while.
Thank you, I think I will try pilates, I have yet to find my “nich” but I am going to experiment till I find something I can actually do, and stick too. thanks again, you are an inspiration.
I Love it!
I have been doing the crunches for the crunch-a-thon, but I have also been doing the 12 minute pilates abs, wow, talk about feelin the burn! I agree with you Nancy yoga and pilates really do give you core strength! I personally am not lookin for a cut six pack, just not as much flab to hang over when I finally get into my skinny jeans!
Thanks for this Girl, I love all the info I eat it like chocolate!
Peace,
Leah♥
It is true, that there is much more to getting six pack abs then exercise alone. It’s very important to eat the right foods to build that muscle too, and cardio to burn that fat off! I do a multitude of various different core exercises and planks in many shapes and forms each day too and feel that they’re the best for burning fat and tightening those muscles at the same time. But I do feel there is a place for crunches also, and do 100+ a day, along with 50+ side crunches on each side, and 50+ slow count leg raises while laying flat on my back to target those lower abs.
I think the trick is in keeping our workouts varied and not relying soley on crunches to get the job done because obviously those alone are going to get you nowhere…but again, there is still a place for them. I refuse to do the regular, old fashioned style of situps because they are dangerous for your back…as a matter of fact, I’ve never once encountered a trainer who has tried to make us do those things.
We used to do Pilates too, but have switched that up to a boot camp style class which has been ALOT of fun! Variety is the spice of life!!
