I can't do sit-ups/crunches.

Solitude

Solitude

New member
I don't know why, but I'm not strong enough to pull my back up. I don't weigh too much - only extra fat in the stomach that bothers me. I'm around 5'6", 133.5-134.5 pounds now, and when I try doing one of those stomach-toning exercises, I can barely lift my head up. I've tried over and over and clearly I'm very weak. Are there any other exercises or something that might help me? Or am I supposed to build up my arms or something?

Y'all can list sites too...I've been googling and much of the exerices I see...I need to be able to pull myself up. :confused:
 
I was reading in Fitness magazine that one of the best abdominal exercises is the bicycle...

Put your hands beside your head. Bring your knees up to about a 45-degree angle and slowly go through a bicycle pedal motion. Touch your left elbow to your right knee, then your right elbow to your left knee. Breath evenly throughout the exercise.

Or crunches on an exercise ball
 
Or also reverse crunches work as well. Instead of trying to do a regular crunch, bend your knees and try to bring them up to towards your chest. Try concentrating on your breathing while do them.
 
the exercise ball is an awesome ab workout and you can work your abs as easy or as hard as you like. another exercise you can try is start like your at the top of your situp and slowly lower yourself down, this will build your ab muscles up so you can eventually lift yourself up as well.
 
Jodee said:
Or also reverse crunches work as well. Instead of trying to do a regular crunch, bend your knees and try to bring them up to towards your chest. Try concentrating on your breathing while do them.
Click to expand...

You beat me to it :D

Yes! reverse crunches are very good, don't hurt your back and work your lower stomach muscles.. which are ones most of us need to work. *pets Jodee* :p
 
Today's fitness magazine emailer had this ab exercise

10-Minute Workout: Twist Away Ab Flab
Try these twisting ab-focused exercise moves to challenge your torso muscles from every angle -- tightening and toning your abs fast!
By Jennifer Matarazzo; Photos by Chris Fanning


Crunches work your abs in only one direction, but these twisting moves from Annette Lang, a personal trainer in New York City, will challenge all your core muscles from every angle to tighten your abs faster. Start now and you'll get a bikini-ready torso by summer.

Minutes 0:00-2:00: Reverse Chop

Holding a 5-pound dumbbell with one hand on each end, stand with feet shoulder-width apart.
Bend knees 90 degrees into a squat, and bring dumbbell down toward the outside of your left foot (not shown). Stand up, extending both arms over your right shoulder, creating a diagonal line across your body.

Repeat 8 to 10 times; switch sides.


Minutes 2:00-4:00: Walking Lunge with Rotation
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding dumbbell with both hands, arms extended in front of you.
Step right foot forward about 3 feet and bend knees 90 degrees into a lunge.
At the same time, rotate your torso and dumbbell to the right, keeping arms straight.
Return to stand and repeat with left leg, rotating to the left.
Continue, alternating 8 to 10 times per side.

Minutes 4:00-6:00: Seated Rotation
Sit on the floor with legs extended in front of you, knees slightly bent.
Hold a dumbbell with both hands and arms extended (not shown).
Lean back slightly and twist torso to the left, bringing dumbbell toward the floor near your hip on the left. Immediately twist to the right, keeping spine neutral and abs tight.
Continue, alternating 8 to 10 times per side.


Minutes 6:00-8:00: Quadruped Rotation
Begin on your hands and knees with palms directly under your shoulders and hips over your knees.
Place your left hand behind your head and rotate from the torso to the left, raising elbow toward the ceiling.
Turn your head slightly so your gaze follows the movement.
Do 8 to 10 reps to the left; return to start and repeat on opposite side.

Minutes 8:00-10:00: Floor Rotation
Lie on your back and lift both legs off floor, knees bent 90 degrees, arms extended at sides from your shoulders to form a T.

Bring knees to the right side of your body, lowering them toward the floor.

Hold for 3 counts, then shift knees to the left.

Repeat 8 to 10 times per side
 
Hey Solitude,

They also have this machine--nothing expensive, I'm not sure how much, but I was thinking of getting one. You lay it on the ground and hold on to it and it rocks with you. Takes the pressure off your back. I have used it at the gym. I'll see if I can find one on-line and post the link for you.
 
There are also a lot of cardio type workouts that burn calories and tone abs like tae-bo. Also, pilates is amazing for toning.
Good Luck :)
 
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