I believe that hanging leg raises will work the lower abs better than leg raises while on your back. Hanging leg raises will not cause compression on the lower back.
Stomach crunches are properly done by curling the upper spine and should not involve any compression of the lower spine as this is not being worked at all. Certainly the side crunches and 3/4 crunches will not compress the spine even if improperly executed.
Sit-ups will compress the lower spine and if they cause pain should be discontinued and replaced with back-friendly abdominal work.
Lower body exercises...
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Found a couple of before pictures - ugh!! One Christmas time before new lifestyle began, lots of clothes on but you can see the weight in face.
The other "Bikini" shot was hilarious! That was the only way I could go to the beach!! Many a heads turned that day because from far away it looks like there's a hot chick at the beach!
:) Unfortunately as they got closer they were severely disappointed - LOL!
The other "Bikini" shot was hilarious! That was the only way I could go to the beach!! Many a heads turned that day because from far away it looks like there's a hot chick at the beach!
:) Unfortunately as they got closer they were severely disappointed - LOL!Well, first thing we need to do is to work on your self-esteem.ldematto wrote:Found a couple of before pictures - ugh!! One Christmas time before new lifestyle began, lots of clothes on but you can see the weight in face.
The other "Bikini" shot was hilarious! That was the only way I could go to the beach!! Many a heads turned that day because from far away it looks like there's a hot chick at the beach!
How does your wardrobe look nowadays? Have you disposed of your old (and very baggy) clothes? Or are they still there (and getting used on occasion)?
Or have you gotten a new wardrobe to show off your new self?
Let us know.
No way I'll ever wear those baggy clothes again - just putting the "new" bikini on was a step in the right direction as far as self esteem - but self esteem wasn't a big problem, I was just disgusted with what I had allowed myself to become. I was involved in a very stressful couple of years at work (banking) and let health and personal well being take a back seat. NO MORE! I'm here to stay - to get stronger and more fit each day! Need to get rid of a few more pounds...but at least I feel "normal" again.
Yes - I'm buying new clothes all the time - they say wear them tight - you look thinner, I agree as long as it's not overdone. Mostly black. Of course now that after working out each day in the early AM, I work from home most days, I wear exercise clothes most!
Anyway - Lisa - I posted these just to show you that all the hard work (and listening to everyone here, tips on eating and exercise and just plain encouragement) made a huge difference for me and I wanted you to see it. You can do it too!
All on this thread are friends and have access to profile pics. Lost 37 lbs - husband says I look like a new person - the old Lulu!
Thanks!
Lu
Yes - I'm buying new clothes all the time - they say wear them tight - you look thinner, I agree as long as it's not overdone. Mostly black. Of course now that after working out each day in the early AM, I work from home most days, I wear exercise clothes most!
Anyway - Lisa - I posted these just to show you that all the hard work (and listening to everyone here, tips on eating and exercise and just plain encouragement) made a huge difference for me and I wanted you to see it. You can do it too!
All on this thread are friends and have access to profile pics. Lost 37 lbs - husband says I look like a new person - the old Lulu!
Thanks!
Lu
how exactly does this "compression" occur during propne holds, lying leg raises etc and why doesn't it occur during crunches and hanging leg raises?
www.uponlinetraining.com
www.uponlinetraining.com
If you took a dowel and bent it down you will stretch the top of the dowel and compress the bottom of the dowel until it broke.swanso5 wrote:how exactly does this "compression" occur during propne holds, lying leg raises etc and why doesn't it occur during crunches and hanging leg raises?
www.uponlinetraining.com
If you do sit ups with your legs constrained you are stretching your abs, and compressing the spine just like the dowel.
The same occurs with the leg raises, but they put even more compression on the lower back.
However, with crunches the bending is not done at the hip. I do crunches with legs raised to ensure that I am isolating to the upper spine.
However, crunches that are properly executed will not work the lower abs at all. You then need to do something for the lower abs.
Hanging leg raises will generally not create any problems. High kicks (Rockettes style or Karate style) will work the lower abs well too and will generally not compress the lower spine.
Also barré work (ballet exercises) will also work the abs and generally will not cause any lower back issues.
I know many people who go to the chiropractor for this lower back pain and it will persist until they get rid of the underlying cause. If someone has lower back pain it pays to list all of the exercises they do to see if we cannot determine which is the likely culprit.