I do not put my hands behind my head, i cross them on my chest. No matter what i try, my neck is tensed during the crunch and i feel i use my neck to initiate the crunch as opposed to using my abs. Frankly, i can hardly feel a thing in my abs.
No matter what i try, my abs dont seem to be doing the work and im always using my neck and back. Tensing my abs, i can still feel my neck tense up and no matter how hard i 'tell' my abs to do the work, it always seems to be my neck and back doing everything and i cant seem to relax my neck... Any tips?
2007-10-22 03:59:16 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diet & Fitness
your core muscles are not strong enough to allow you to be able to perform the movement properly.
you need to address the muscle weaknesses in your upper legs, hip flexors and low back. all of these muscles are used when performing a crunch, not just the abdominal muscle.
2007-10-22 04:12:48 · answer #1 · answered by lv_consultant 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You are NOT doing crunches correctly if you're straining your neck. You're not relying on your stomach to lift. When you lie on your back and get ready to crunch, make sure there is no space between the floor and the small of your back. And use those abs like you're supposed to!
2016-03-13 04:32:50 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why are you doing crunches? It's not going to make you lose weight in your abs. Listen, doing aerobics and lifting weights are the best exercises for building muscle and endurance. Go on this site: www.sparkpeople.com. This site has many exercises listed, and shows you how to do them properly. Many people exercise wrong, which can end up hurting themselves and discouraging them from exercising. On this site, I've learned that you can't "spot exercise" in order to focus on one area of the body. Your body decides where it will lose the weight, and how your muscles form. Exercise your whole body, for a proper workout. Working out on an exercise bike is just as effective as crunches, and won't give you a sore neck. Use stretch bands in your workouts too, which will give you the proper resistance. Learn as much as you can about exercise. There's too much misinformation out there regarding diet & exercise. Find out what's best and what's right for you. Be safe while getting fit. <*)))><
2007-10-22 04:18:05 · answer #3 · answered by Sandylynn 6 · 0⤊ 4⤋
i prefer what i call a "boxer's routine" to crunches. its fun and adds a bit of cardio as well. stand with your feet shoulder width apart, knees bent slightly and punch the air. vary where your punches go, such as... twist slightly at the mid-section toward the right while you punch with your left hand then twist toward the left when you punch with your right hand. do several at shoulder height, then several with your fist ending about the same height as the bottom of your rib cage, then about the height of your hips. this works both your abs and obliques. use your own muscles as resistors by concentrating on contracting them as you do the movement. because this is done standing, there is no neck, upper back or shoulder strain. you can use light dumbells when you do this as well.
2007-10-22 04:17:59 · answer #4 · answered by Missy 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Try keeping a few inches between your chin & your chest. Focus on a dot or spot on the celing and crunch UP not in. Use your core to bring your chin towards the dot on the ceiling.
2007-10-22 04:42:43 · answer #5 · answered by MELISSA 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
get an exercise ball!! they are fun and they work because you can stretch your midsection further!
2007-10-22 04:02:58 · answer #6 · answered by nothing 5 · 0⤊ 4⤋