Why To Avoid Ab Exercises On Your Back

As I have made quite apparent to you over and over again I have never been a fan of abdominal exercises that are performed while lying on your back.

Here are a few insider secrets as to why you should avoid doing abdominal exercises on your back.

Be sure to try the bonus Core Circuit Workout to FEEL exactly what I am talking about!

Secret # 1 - The true secret to a sleek and sexy core does not include thousands of crunches or leg raises. If you are not working multiple muscle fibers you are diminishing your caloric burn. When lying on your back you are limiting the amount of muscles being used thus minimizing your overall caloric expenditure.

Secret # 2 - When you perform any number of the abdominal crunch exercise you are placing too much pressure on your lumbar spine caused by the repetitive movement of spinal flexion.
75% of Americans experience some aspect of low back pain. You can easily avoid this by removing crunches from your workout.

Secret # 3 - If you want a sexy core you need to train your core muscles and I am not talking about the "six-pack" muscles, I am talking about your inner musculature. If you do not strengthen your core muscles you will never train your body to recruit more muscle fibers and increase your overall caloric burn.

Core Circuit # 1

Plank 30sec

X-Body Mt. Climber 15 per side

Plank 30sec

X-Body Mt. Climber 15 per side

Rest 30sec

Repeat 2x

Core Circuit # 2

Side Plank 20sec side

High Plank w/ Leg Raise 10 per side

Side Plank 20sec side

High Plank w/ Leg Raise 10 per side

Rest 30sec

Repeat 2x

Give it a try and I guarantee you will tell me that is a more fun and effective way to achieving a sleek midsection!


Helping you achieve a Sexy Core,

Tyler English, NASM-PES, CPT