Abs without my DVD

[dss62467]

So the hotel I'm staying at in London has a great fitness room (as far as hotels go). I want to do some ab routines this week before I get too squisy.

Can someone please, please, please let me know what the ab routine is for SJP? It's my favorite one. Wish I had it on my iPod!!!!

Of course, if you can give me a good ab routine to do in its stead, that's just as good. I lack creativity and can't come up with anything on my own. Damned TV!

 

[LauraMax]

Does the fitness room have a cable machine? You can try my gym routine if you want, which is basically 4 sets 15 basic crunches w/a plate on my head, & 4 sets 15 cable crunches. DOMS pretty much every week!

 

[allwildgirl]

Laura - by "with a plate on my head" do you mean you hold it over your forehead, or you hold it behind your head? And what weight of plate?

And what could I sub for the cable machine crunches? Not that I even know what cable machine crunches are, but you know...

 

[LauraMax]

It's kind of on the top of my head toward the crown--I put a towel across it & hold both ends of the towel for cushion. There are a bunch of variations on this--you can hold it across your chest or straight up in the air (only if you're using a lighter weight, otherwise it'll strain the arms--I go pretty heavy w/these).

You can sub the cable crunches w/a resistance band or exercise tubing at home if you have a secure hook or pull up bar. Here's the basic movement:

http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/RectusAbdominis/CBKneelingCrunch.html

Usually I keep my hands right on my forehead to make sure I don't cheat & use my arms to pull the weight.

 

[allwildgirl]

Thanks! I'm going to try both of these tonight. I'll use tubing and my pullup bar for the cable ones. What weight do you suggest I start with for the crunches with the plate?

 

[LauraMax]

Do you have a 25 lb plate? You're an advanced exerciser & I suspect you have pretty strong abs--25 lbs could even be too light. If you're using a 10 lb plate then use the arms straight up in the air method--lying on the floor, hold the plate straight up so it's facing the ceiling, then "push" the plate up using your ab muscles--you have to kind of focus on pushing your chin & shoulders to the ceiling while holding the plate in the same position.

OK I just re-read this, does it make any sense at all? :+

 

[allwildgirl]

Yup. Makes perfect sense. I don't have a 25 lb plate, so I'll use a 10 and do the arms straight up in the air method.

Thanks!

 

[dss62467]

Well, gee Laura and Shelly...thanks for hijacking my thread! I miss you girls!

No, there doesn't seem to be a cable machine. Maybe I'll just wing it. There's a stability ball. I could do some pikes and blow the minds of the "only on vacation" exercisers.

 

[allwildgirl]

Sorry Donna Have fun impressing the other people in the gym with your pikes. Careful you don't fall off the ball!

 

[dss62467]

Decided against the pikes. The balls are the tall people balls and figured I'd just look dumb. It's really funny watching what people consider a weight workout.

Didn't think to find out the conversion of kg to lb before going in there. Not sure if I pushed myself or slacked. There's not supposed to be math in exercise!