Hey Total Gym team. I am dating myself, but remember when we used to do old school full sit ups? We would crank on our necks, slam our backs into the floor with each repetition, and use momentum and our hip flexors instead of our abs. Then we got smart and graduated to crunches realizing the abs are very short muscles and you only need to move a couple of inches to properly train them. But crunches can still be a pain in the neck, literally, and maybe not the best exercise to train your core. So, if you hate crunches but still want to have a svelte tummy, read on for some great exercises to get you ready for a head turning beach bod, or at least a flat midsection so you look better in clothes.
I’m going to keep this simple and give you just three exercises that work your entire core, but with several options. One of the beauties of working out on the Total Gym is that it is easy to progress an exercise to make it more challenging or regress a move make it more manageable and do it all in the comfort and convenience of your own home.
- The AbCrunch – Yes, I know it has the word crunch in the title, but this is so much more awesome than a traditional crunch and it doesn’t involve cranking on the neck. This is my favorite Total Gym accessory and my clients love it as well. Once you see the video, you’ll want to order yours and reap the benefits of having great abs.
- Oblique Wood Chop – We want lots of love in life but not a lot of love handles! Your obliques are the muscles that govern your love handle area and this is a great exercise to keep your waist line slim and taut. You’ll love the fun options I will show you on the video.
- The Plank – This is one of the best exercises to work your entire core. We don’t just want to work our abs but all the muscles that support your spine which is my favorite definition of “the core”. This not only includes your ab muscles you can see in the mirror, but all the muscles on your backside that support your spine. And again, with the genius design of the Total Gym, I’ll show you multiple options to turn up the volume as you get stronger and desire an increased challenge. I’ll also teach you how to turn the plank into a Pilates plank to work the internal core muscles that keep your stomach flat and most importantly, protect your back.
Enjoy team!
jd
