Crunches....are they worth it?

[Misty89]

I am wondering about ab crunches. I have seen a few post on the WW site and one here, about them, and people reporting that they do between 100 - 200 per day....do you see results? How long until you see the results? and what type? is your stomach flatter? I am also wondering how long after doing that many a day( which i cannot get close to) will it not hurt/ burn?
I have a old ab roller thats like 10 years old, - but i mostly do them on the floor by myself.
I am asking because i have a "mommy" pouch and i was wondering if doing that type of work will help with that?

can you share what you feel / know about doing crunches?


thanks

 

[twotoohappy]

Yup, crunches work! I started out only being able to do 5 and now I'm up to 300 on somedays. I can do the 300 if I'm on the "ab roller" type machine. When I'm at home doing regular crunches (right elbow to left knee, left elbow to right knee and then both elbows to both knees), I do 100 of these. I've gone from a 16 to an 8/10 since I started working out the end of August. I've also lost 30 pounds since then (62 total with WISH).
The results don't happen overnight, so be patient. I still have a mommie pouch too, but I'm working on it.
Oh yeah, I started the crunches the beginning of December, before then, I just did cardio and Pilates. My trainer said to wait to do the crunches when I was within 20 pounds or so of my goal weight because if I did the crunches with most of the fat still there, I'd get a hard round belly. Pilates will lengthen out your belly and make it easier to lose and tighten. I still have 15 - 20 pounds to go and the mommie pouch, but it's going.
Good luck

 

[grlpwrd]

They work, but I think Pilates is way better. Pilates really works your core at many different angles and so you look very tightened plus many people do crunches incorrectly which could actually be bad for you and work against what you want.

GL!

 

[luvsgrumpy]

Thanks for asking that Misty89! I've been trying to do crunches but am now thinking about the Pilates instead for now. Do you guys take classes or do videos at home? I guess I need to check out Wal-Mart soon and see what they have.

 

[twotoohappy]

I have the Windsor Pilates tape for at home and love it!

 

[disneychick05]

I have been wondering about this same thing! I have an 8 month old baby and sometimes I think I still look pregnant! I have been working out on the treadmill most days of the week but haven't started crunches or ab work because I feel like it will be pointless. I think I will wait until I loose some more weight and then take an abs class.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Yup, crunches work! I started out only being able to do 5 and now I'm up to 300 on somedays. I can do the 300 if I'm on the "ab roller" type machine. When I'm at home doing regular crunches (right elbow to left knee, left elbow to right knee and then both elbows to both knees), I do 100 of these. I've gone from a 16 to an 8/10 since I started working out the end of August. I've also lost 30 pounds since then (62 total with WISH).
The results don't happen overnight, so be patient. I still have a mommie pouch too, but I'm working on it.
Oh yeah, I started the crunches the beginning of December, before then, I just did cardio and Pilates. My trainer said to wait to do the crunches when I was within 20 pounds or so of my goal weight because if I did the crunches with most of the fat still there, I'd get a hard round belly. Pilates will lengthen out your belly and make it easier to lose and tighten. I still have 15 - 20 pounds to go and the mommie pouch, but it's going.
Good luck

Yep! What she says! I also use Winsor Pilates and enjoy that. You do need a good core set before you take on too much so as not to cause back injury. Proper form is essential.

Great info and thanks for asking the question.