Hand Position During Ab Exercises

http://www.scoobysworkshop.com

Every time I do an ab video the subject of what to do with the hands comes up. I show how I think the hands should be held during ab exercisees and I lots of irate viewers telling me I am wrong. In this video I'm going to explain WHY the hands should be held lightly behind the head during crunches.

First of all, humans evolved to walk upright with the head held high. For tens of thousands of years humans have been gathering berries, hunting. All vertical, kinda balancing our heads on top of our bodies.

So When the body becomes horizontal, what happens? The head falls.
To couteract this the neck muscles have to work really hard to keep the head stationary. Our neck muscsles have not evolved to support the head horizontally like those of a lion or horse. If a person stays in this position long, they will get serious muscle strain. Now I can hear you saying, "well you need to work on your neck strength" - thats TRUE but dont let that interfere with your ab workout. Strengthen you neck during your neck workout, not during your ab workout.

So here is what you need to do when performing crunches. You lift up with your hands just enough so that you can relax your neck muscles and still have your head stay horizontal. You dont push so hard that your head wants to fly up and you dont let it droop.

Another misconception is about leverage. Many people think that its just as good a workout to hold the hands over the abs as it is to have the hands behind the head - WRONG! Leverage is the reason. Similarly, holding a 25lb plate over your chest is much easier than holding it behind your head when you are doing crunches.

Anyone can be healthier, have more energy, sleep better, and feel better about themselves through bodybuilding. Bodybuilding doesn't have to be expensive or take a lot of time, gyms are great but home workouts can save you time and money. A cheap dumbbell set from a garage sale or walmart is all it takes to get started with your home workouts.

Limitation of Liability: Consult with your doctor before starting any exercise program! I am not a medical professional. It is your responsibility to critically evaluate this information and with the help of your physician decide if it is appropriate for you.
copyright 2006-2009 scoobysworkshop.com LLC

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• ab
• abs
• 6-pack
• ripped
• crunches

[scooby1961]

Comments are now disabled. If you have questions about getting 6-pack abs or losing weight you can get them answered free of charge 24/7 at the AskScooby forum!

[XXdrag0nl0rdXX]

how do you work out your side abs

[scooby1961]

Wow, right question XXdragOnbLOrdXX! I didnt even have to slip you a twenty to ask that leading question! Watch the video I'm uploading right now, it will be available in about 4 hours.

[veho544]

Hey Scooby, i am 14 years old and i' ve been doing your "get in shape" programme but i'm already in a decent shape. Should I do workouts in stead of your "get in shape" programme or should i keep doing this? And is my age a problem?

[scooby1961]

hey veho544, I'm working on a teen workout program video just for people like yourself. It will be out in a few weeks.

[LaszeWins]

looking forward to your upcoming teen workout video!

[Guitarerable]

hey scooby just out of curiosity how much can u bench press

[eradicator147]

need help..

i wanna kno if i want to gain muscle n stuff should i be doing abs???

because i dnt want fats...

[soulmate3x]

Hi scooby,

can you tell me if the neck also needs support when doing hyperextensions for back or are the neck muscles stronger in the other direction?

other than that .. alles klar! :-)

Thanks for your always informative videos!

[Joshuaemx]

It seems like you're getting a great amount of tan, Scooby. Hope the swimming time was good!

[Knive89]

Ab ripper x... ftw