Monday, February 16, 2009

Conclusions from a Month of Abs Work

aka What I learned during the Sexy Six Pack Challenge

* The Yoga DVDs that I am doing do include abs work, but it's not sufficient if you want to target ab strength.
* I still don't like planks (as in I despise them).
* I've been doing crunches for awhile and I don't think they are all that effective either.
* Trainer Guy showed me 3 new Abs exercises recently. Those are the ones that I think are making an impact. He has me doing rope crunches, slow ab curls, and something I dont know the name of (you get on all fours, exhale, suck in your abs and arch up your back - and repeat - it's harder than it sounds!)

As for my strength test.
* I started able to do 20sec plank. The goal is 3 sets of at least 60 secs. I really don't like doing these, so it is unlikely that I'll ever really make progress here. The only way I can get myself to do exercises is by having fun with it and I simply don't find these fun. I don't even want to put in the effort to see where I'm at. Sorry! [UPDATE: I decided to do one plank and made it to 50sec]
* I started able to do 0 slow ab curls unassisted and barely 3 sets of 5 with assistance. The goal is 3 sets of 15 unassisted. I ended able to do 0 unassisted and 3 sets of 10 with assistance. I have a long way to go! But I like these, so I think I'm going to get there eventually. :-)

Bottom line
* I'll still do the yoga, but not because of abs.
* I will continue the exercises Trainer Guy gave me and hope to see additional strength progress in another month.
* Have I mentioned that I don't like planks?

25 comments:

  1. I hate ab work. It's like speedwork to me ... it's a good idea, and I should do it, but I really rather would not.

    so I don't. ;)

    has the yoga helped increase flexibility?

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  2. great review of the abs and yoga.. it's amazing how much planks hurt... lol. I love to hate them :)

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  3. I so agree with you. Planks (we call them bridge holds)suck. Planks are really starting not being fun after about 3 minutes. Every minute after is torture. Oh, you'll probably hit me now or cross me off your birthday card list. lol

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  4. I like planks. I must be doing them wrong LOL.

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  5. I am amazed at your dedication to ab work. I wish I could jump back on that train.

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  6. I had to chuckle at what MCM Mama said... I like planks, also. It did cross my mind that maybe I'm doing them wrong. I hate ab work and crunches are hellish for me (so I don't do them). Keep going on your ab work! You're inspiring me to get more dedicated about strengthening my core.

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  7. Hi Lisa, I just got home from the gym and cool PT chick had me do following version of planks and I had to think of you the whole time: 15 sec with one arm off the ground, 15 sec with one leg of the ground, 15 sec with other arm off the ground and 15 sec of other leg off the ground. Rest. Repeat. Try this for increased fun factor!

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  8. Sounds like the Cat pose in Yoga. The Ab Ripper X video is a killa! I wonder if you can buy it individually on ebay. I think you can. They have this thing called pulse ups. OK. Basically, you lie on your back with both heels straight up at a 90 degree angle. Then, you pulse your heels to the ceiling using your abs and get your butt off the floor. They hurt!! LOL...

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  9. What the heck are rope crunches?!? Inquiring minds want to know ;-)

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  10. I've never heard of rope crunches either. Good for you for sticking with all those ab/core workouts!

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  11. I give you a lot of credit for sticking with it. I hate ab work PERIOD.

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  12. abs can be such a pain to stick to but i am REALLY trying to make sure to get them in 3 times a week now. i do planks too, they are tough but i think they work well for runners.

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  13. Wow good for you for sticking with it! I hate ab work also...I guess that's why mine look like they do!

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  14. It all sounds good to me considering i've never done any of it!!!

    Planks???? No clue!!!

    Keep going Lisa!!!

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  15. Whoa! Great job with the 50-second plank!!

    I hate those too, with a passion.

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  16. Ouch!
    Good for you getting it done.
    Holy abs of steel.

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  17. I think planks should be outlawed! Great job hanging in there. Impressive.

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  18. Amazing how much of a killer planks are. They look so simple and easy. Yet torture you endlessly from the first second to the last.

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  19. Planks aren't my friends either. But, they're satisfying when you're done with them! :) Way to stick it out!

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  20. ok thus far I've found a number of it's good, but not a truly ab worthy recommendations...maybe it's a myth that there is 1 fantastic ab program

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  21. That Wes is so smart, yes, it is the Cat Pose...

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  22. Great review! I'm not a plan of planks either. They leave carpet burns on my elbows.

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  23. I HATE planks!
    I'll swap 100 crunches for a plank any day.

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