ab help

[*MiKe*]

Iv been trying to work my abs for a while now but with no success they are not looking or feeling stronger.
When I do sittups I cant feel it working!
Is there any way an ab toning belt could help a martial artist?
Does it really strengthen your abs?
Or can anyone give me any advice?

Thanks

[narcsarge]

Do crunches. Concentrate on bringing your shoulders to your hips and exhale on the contraction.

[*MiKe*]

Should I be doing the exercise fast or slow?

[narcsarge]

Your call but there is no sense in racing through it. Try this:

Do your crunch. Exhale slowly and then hold for 20 seconds. Relax.

See how many you do like that before you think your either gonna cramp up or you abs will catch fire.

[CosmicFish]

If you're able to do a lot of situps then it's possible they're simply too easy to challenge you. If this is the case try doing weighted situps.

[Shiho-Nage]

Try this, its like an inverted burpee of sorts:

From a natural standing position squat down and then lie down completely on the ground face up without using your hands.

Now, also without using your hands, stand back up again.

Back down the same way and up the same way. Over and over again.

See how many of those you can do before something gives out: your abs, your legs or your lungs. Then see how many you can do in a fixed amount of time.

To keep from cheating keep both hands palm down on the top of your head the hold time.

Its a straightforward and effective exercise that hits your whole core as well as some legs/hips.

[TheAngle]

I think every martial arts class starts with crunches. Try to stay in a pushup position after crunches, that will hit your abs too.

[Yohan]

If you want to see your abs, you have to lose fat.

[Master Hakki]

If you're able to do a lot of situps then it's possible they're simply too easy to challenge you. If this is the case try doing weighted situps.

I would not recommend weighted situps unless you want a wider waist. You see, if you're working your abs with weights they can actually get bigger (not necessary better looking), wich makes your waist look wider and bigger than it really is.

If sit ups are too easy for you, I recommend isometric work of abs or a little more advanced abs exercises such as kneeups or hanging leg raises.

Also if you are strong enough, you could try the L-sit. It's a really hard exercise for your abs.

Good luck.

[Panzerhaust]

Is there any way an ab toning belt could help a martial artist?
No.
Does it really strengthen your abs?
No.
Or can anyone give me any advice?

Yeah get a copy of Lessons in Wrestling & Physical Culture by Farmer Burns and pay precial attention to the exercises for the torso and trunk of the body.

[Yost]

I would not recommend weighted situps unless you want a wider waist. You see, if you're working your abs with weights they can actually get bigger (not necessary better looking), wich makes your waist look wider and bigger than it really is.

This is entirely a function of diet, and you would have to make a great effort to make your abs "too big".

[adouglasmhor]

Yeah get a copy of Lessons in Wrestling & Physical Culture by Farmer Burns and pay precial attention to the exercises for the torso and trunk of the body.

http://www.sandowplus.co.uk/Competition/Burns/lessons/lesson01.htm

[Genkuro]

That book looks good, I don't think he cares much for Ju-jitsu though XD

[SteffenBerg]

If you want to see your abs, you have to lose fat.

Exactly.

One also should focus on "core strength" for martial arts purposes, not just doing endless crunches / sit-ups.

/Stef