(Tai chi techniques) Signs of Incorrect Ab Fitness Methods

Written by Webmaster

Thursday, 30 October 2008

By Richard Black

When it comes to working your abdominal muscles, it is very clear when the method you are using is and isn't working. If your stomach is still flabby and squishy, it isn't working. If your stomach is flat and defined, chances are it probably is.

Performing an exercise incorrectly is equally as recognizable, but most people that are doing it do not realize that they are making the mistakes. However, it is those same mistakes that are the number one reason that most people do not continue their ab fitness workouts. If you are unable to recognize when you are making mistakes, chances are you will assume that what you are feeling is due to the workout and your body - rather than any errors from you.

Signs that You Are Performing the Exercise Incorrectly

You know you are performing an ab fitness exercise incorrectly when you feel aches and pains in areas that you were not actually working out. The most common place is the back, especially during standard crunches, but may also be the neck and shoulders. These pains are not intended by the workout you are performing.

It is these same signs that cause most people to quit their workout. Since there is no way to receive the results you want in a short period of time, you need to figure out how to get rid of these pains in order to achieve the stomach you want to achieve.

Most Common Mistakes

The most common mistake that you are likely doing if you are experiencing these aches and pains is that it is very likely you are not lifting using your ab muscles. When you are doing the crunch, for example, you have your hands behind your head and your back against the ground. Far too many people try to pull themselves up with their arms and use their back as support, most often because they are attempting to lift themselves all the way up to their knees rather than just towards the necessary 45 degree angle.

In addition, many people try to perform more repetitions than their bodies can handle because they seem to be able to keep going. But remember, with most of these exercises the reason you can keep going is because you have your back and arms for help - not because your abs can actually handle the strength. Once you have gone beyond the amount your abs can handle, you are essentially lifting uncomfortably with your arms and back.

To avoid these mistakes, make sure you lift with your abdomen and start slow at first until you know how much your abs can handle. If you feel back or arm pain there is a good chance you are not performing the workout correctly.

Also remember that with exercises like crunches, there are myths about the workouts that lead people to perform them incorrectly. For example, when you perform a crunch you do not need to have your head reach your knees, all you need to do is get your head high enough that your abdomen is feeling the resistance.

By fixing these problems, your workout will become easier. And once your workout is easier, you will be able to see the clear results that show you that it is working.

Richard Black answers the question: does the ab lounger work?
at his website about the ab lounger.

Healthy Exercise With Tai Chi