First, a little history: have been routinely working out for 9yrs now. Got into yoga quite a bit when I got certified as an instructor a year ago last June, but since about January, I stopped teaching the class, therefore, stopped doing yoga. Was always using weights as part of my workouts, although I admit, not as much in the last year since I have been so busy teaching, subbing, (also, did some frienly personal training--therefore, spotting my friends was priority over my own routine)
point is...regardless of the fact that I know I haven't been as diligent in the abs as I would like---even WHEN I was diligent, I never could seem to do a boat pose (which Tony has in his ab ripper dvd.) Not just that, but lots of ab exercises no matter how many I did, seemed so difficult, it never got easier. (can't say that changes were noticeable either, I don't tend to check out my mommy pooch after carrying 7 kids)
Toned yes, but stronger?? eh...
So, would like to hear some feedback about anyone else--whether you are successful at ab work, or if you are struggling like me. If you are great at ab work, would love some tips, if you are struggling like I am can you share with me if you were ever to surpass the struggle?
For the record...I believe boat pose is MORE quad work than abs!! It's hard holding those heavy legs up in the air!
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Ab Ripper was a JOKE for me, especially after the Chest & Back stuff. Maybe I have a boney butt, I don't know, but I couldn't do half that stuff. I found myself "dumbing down" the exercise, just to try and do something. And I agree, on some of those, my quads were burning more than my abs. (ugg, soccer legs!) Kudos to anyone who can even remotely do that ab stuff! I hope to attain your level some day, errr, year!
ReplyDeleteactually Eric...I do have a boney tailbone...I did think that was part of the problem, but also didn't know if I was just looking for an excuse. When I got really diligent about weights (and focusing on abs), I found that my tailbone area seemed quite sore, stinging sore...that's when I learned that while doing ab work, (if laying on my back) I was rubbing the skin raw. So I did figure that was my problem..but then again, just watching other people perform those ab exercises, it doesn't appear that they are on that tailbone much..so again, why can't I??? Why on earth does it not even seem on a crunch that I am not more than 1/4 inch off the floor??
ReplyDeleteI have a boney tailbone too, so I have to put something soft under it, but I tend to do ab stuff better, except for the ones that use a lot of your legs, ugh.....I definitely feel these the next day....good luck with that, lol!
ReplyDeleteI just did the Ab ripper for the first time. Now I have been working out for a couple of months and do 50 sit-ups, 40 of these twist exercises, and 20 to 30 crunches. I thought I had a good core strength. Until after I did that video. Ouch! I didn't even have the coordination at first. On some of them by the end of the exercise I would finally be getting it down. And by the end that one where you are punching the floor, I couldn't even hold my legs up. Wow! How many times a week are you supposed to be doing that? I too have a bony butt and it will be sore tomorrow.
ReplyDeletei have some cushin on my butt so I dont have that problem... my issues is that I need something to hold my legs down or I cant do any off this stuff. Maybe I missed it but is that cheating? if so what I can do to get better. the stuff where my legs are off the ground are actaully easier for me than the stuff when I have them on the ground. and holy moly do I have a long way to go.
ReplyDeleteAb Rpper is tough. Especially after a tough workout. It gets easier. When I started last year, I could only do 5-10 reps each move. By program's end, I was at 20-25 reps each move.
ReplyDeleteAlready at 15 reps each move and feelin' it!