Traditional sit-ups focus on the rectus abdominis (six-pack), which is closer to the surface ? this is why you can still have that ?pouch? no matter how many crunches you do. By focusing on the overstretched and often overshadowed transverse abdominis (the inner-most muscle of the belly), the much needed internal girdle (or ?spanx?) brings the pouch back in.
The ‘pouch’ is gotten rid of in the kitchen.
Interesting post. Though of course it takes on a bit of a shady air when one’s first post is a statement, has little or no context, and appears to promote a commercial enterprise.
I have a slightly different view. The “traditional” sit-up typically moves beyond targeting abdominal musculature and goes into hip flexors. When that happens the iliopsoas tends to become hard and short which can create malalignment in the pelvis (read: low back pain). This not to mention the amount of torque in the lumbar spine and the sacroiliac joint.
As for pouches I tend to be of the school that a soft belly lends itself to more efficient digestion, healthier internal organs, and less preoccupation with what others think of me. Of course I am not talking about obesity and there are justifications for maintaining a balanced body structure. But that is my general view.
I don’t think anyone on their death bed ever wished they had washboard abs or less pouch.
I never understood the attraction of washboard abs, other than seeing that yes they can be attractive, I guess, since so many in society seem to value them. I really don’t care one way or the other.
Personally, I prefer a natural looking belly with a fit body. And nothing is more attractive than a man who is confident in himself (arrogance ruins all attractiveness).
I much prefer yoga exercises that focus on the core and have always hated “crunches”, and Gordon, I did not realize that the time I did do crunches for a period I was only exacerbating the beginning of my low back injury! I’ll definitely avoid all crunches from now on. Evil crunches!
Crunches and sit-ups really do harm the lower back. This is an interesting thread, though, especially for me, since I have titanium rods attached to my spine, I cannot do those types of movements, anyway. Admittedly my core is very weak and I struggle to find ways to improve that.
wheel,
I have found that if I focus while doing poses such as plank pose (don’t know sanskrit name) and vasistasana, these challenge the core while holding the back straight. I am heading out the door as my ride is here, so am not thinking of any other poses, but I’m sure you will get more responses! Good luck!
It’s both weird and refreshing that blatant spam can inspire sincere conversation!
Tummy tuck? Spanx? or Yoga? I’ll stick with the one choice that feels good. Inte