Hey all! I'm new to this forum, and I'm excited to start strength training today.
When I'm doing exercises that seem more like stretches than anything else (ie ab exercises, for example), how many should I be doing? Should I be doing three sets and ten reps like I do when I'm lifting weights?
Thanks!
-Glen
Initial Question
Moderators: Boss Man, cassiegose
Common mistake. Never do crunches in such a way, that you just bring your Upper body up, and end up pushing your Back into the Abs.
The movement should feel like the Abs, are assisting the movement, almost as if you've got a rope tied around your Lower Ribcage, and you're being pulled up off the floor.
Keep your Lower Back pressed down to the floor as much as possible, don't have Spinal Lordosis, (arching of the Back), whilst doing it, or you will affect the range of motion, and probably lessen the affect, whilst potentially recruiting some of your Back muscles to a higher degree than necessary.
Most people do usually start off with 2-3 sets of 10, as with any muscle, intial conditioning is needed, because they need to be adjusted to what they're being made to do.
The movement should feel like the Abs, are assisting the movement, almost as if you've got a rope tied around your Lower Ribcage, and you're being pulled up off the floor.
Keep your Lower Back pressed down to the floor as much as possible, don't have Spinal Lordosis, (arching of the Back), whilst doing it, or you will affect the range of motion, and probably lessen the affect, whilst potentially recruiting some of your Back muscles to a higher degree than necessary.
Most people do usually start off with 2-3 sets of 10, as with any muscle, intial conditioning is needed, because they need to be adjusted to what they're being made to do.