| When it comes to our bodies, we all have one | | | | your neck during the duration of the |
| place or another that we are somewhat | | | | movement. Do not take your eyes off this |
| unsatisfied with. You always here people say | | | | spot! The most common mistake while |
| things like "I hate my thighs" or "my butt is | | | | performing a crunch is too much stress on the |
| too big". Of course some of these things are | | | | neck as a result of pulling on it with the |
| said in jest, but there is still discontent | | | | hands. |
| hidden in there. | | | | |
| | | | The next step is to stabilize the low back. |
| Despite it all though, the one thing that has | | | | This can be done by tightening the muscles in |
| become almost an obsession today is the way | | | | the abdomen. |
| our abs look. It seems that everyone is | | | | |
| looking for those ever elusive "six pack | | | | Slowly curl forward and up using your |
| abs", but much like Ponce De Leon's search | | | | abdominal muscles only. There should be no |
| for the fountain of youth, it seems like it | | | | bending at the waist. Keep your abdominal |
| is impossible to find. | | | | muscles firm for the entire duration to |
| | | | ensure low back stabilization. Keep your |
| Now, while there is no "magical formula" for | | | | focus on that spot on the ceiling to prevent |
| attaining a flat, firm, and toned stomach, | | | | neck pain as a result of stress. At the top |
| there is something you can do that if done | | | | position your shoulder blades should only be |
| regularly, will get you the results that you | | | | between 4-8 inches off the ground. There is |
| are looking for. To get these results, | | | | no need to go any further. Pause at this top |
| stomach crunches need to be done daily but | | | | position. This whole movement should be |
| keep in mind that stomach exercises alone | | | | performed slowly and take about 2 seconds to |
| will not burn the fat off of your midsection. | | | | perform. Pause at the top position for 1-2 |
| | | | seconds to ensure full contraction of the |
| Keeping your calories in check along with | | | | abdominal muscles. |
| doing your crunches everyday will be the way | | | | |
| for you to see that flat, chiseled, sexy | | | | Slowly return to the starting position |
| stomach. Crunches are easy to do, and if done | | | | keeping your abs contracted. |
| properly, are very effective for toning those | | | | |
| abs. Here is a step by step breakdown of the | | | | That is all there is to it. The crunch is not |
| proper way to get the most out of your | | | | a very big movement because you are working |
| crunches. | | | | your abs only. A full sit-up does not work |
| | | | your abs better than the crunch because once |
| Lie flat on your back on the floor with your | | | | you are past the crunch position, your abs |
| legs bent to about a 90-degree angle with | | | | are fully contracted and it is your hip |
| both your rear and your feet flat on the | | | | muscles that are straining to lift you up, |
| floor. Place your hands behind your head | | | | not your abs. |
| making sure not to interlock your fingers. | | | | |
| You can make your hands into fists so you do | | | | Doing a hundred of these a day is not the key |
| not pull up on the back of your neck. | | | | here. Doing two to three sets of 15 to 20 of |
| | | | these at a slow and deliberate pace with good |
| The next thing to do is to pick a spot on the | | | | form is what is recommended for maximum |
| ceiling directly above you. This should be | | | | benefits and minimum risk of injury. |
| done in order to ensure that you do not bend | | | | |