Anybody else do this exercise or think of it? Abs...

[Big Dave Smith]

I don't know if I copied this subconsciously from past memory or if I just invented it on the spot... but watching Mountaindog1/John Meadows' videos on YouTube got me to think. I stare at all the machines in the gym while doing cardio and think about how I could use them differently to improve or vary an exercise. Here's one for abs that I've been doing lately.

YouTube - ham-ab crunch.AVI

It really keeps tension from the top of the movement to the bottom. I start with my upper body in a straight line and pull the pad down with my chest and arms... but the pad comes at you in a semi-arc, which almost perfectly keeps the tension through 100% of the movement.

Like I said, I won't take credit for this... but it's really freakin effective when done right!

 

[kscowboy]

Hey nice exercise Dave.

 

[Aaron Osaka]

They already make an ab machine that is based on that movement but if your gym doesn't have one, it can be done the way you did it with the leg curl machine.

 

[mountaindog1]

I like it - like the creativity!!! As long as you are blowing air out at bottom, flexing abs, and curling up into a ball...no reason why it won't work! You are looking awesome by the way.

JM

 

[flexingtonsteele]

Other than sticking your mouth where people put their dirty shoes.

Looks good

 

[Big Dave Smith]

Aaron Osaka- That's exactly why I'm doing this exercise. All the ab machines have the hand grips above the head, which I feel leads to using every muscle EXCEPT the abs to perform the crunch. I actually like these better than the machine I have at my other gym that serves the same purpose. Doing them on the ham curl keeps the tension through to the very bottom.

Mountaindog1- Thanks! Yup, blowing air out and curling into a ball on every rep. That little extra curl at the bottom REALLY fires up the abs.


Flexington- I think my arm pits are even dirtier.

 

[Springbok]

great creativity!!! im going to try it tomorrows workout!

 

[readyset]

there used to be a machine like that, only built for abs. pad would about chest height, sit and crunch. I havent seen one in years though, my old high school weight room had it. good memories.

 

[knucklehed]

I am all over this
thanks Dave!

 

[andres8]

seems like it works well just have to focus on the contraction trying it today cant wait

 

[D Enda]

I like this! I'ma try it today. But the motion seems really similar to a rope/cable crunch??