Quote:
Originally Posted by CaraBeth
I've had the most trouble find a variation on the ball crunch that is challenging enough for 4 reps. I've tried adding weight plates on my chest, but they get so big and bulky that it's really uncomfortable after 35lbs. I now try to get the 12 or 15lb medicine ball and hold it with my arms extended past my head, and really focus on form and using my abs to lift the ball rather than my arms (I really have to think about it!). This past workout, the heavier balls were nowhere to be found in the gym (ie, someone didn't put them back) so I grabbed the 10lb and did crunches in slow motion - counting to 5 going up, pausing, and then slowly back down. This seemed to work!
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This is what i ended up doing too. Weighted crunches get uncomfortable because of the plate, not the exercise. SO I found that if I really focus on the exercise and go slowly on the crunch and hold it there for a count of 3-5 seconds and then go slowly on the way down, i feel the muscles working more. Works great for reverse crunches and lateral flexion too.