core max - i dont think i'm doing some of the exercises right

[andieje]

Hi

I love core max but i'm not an advanced exerciser. I can do the first workout and i'm trying to move onto the second one but I am having problems doing some of the exercises on the ball and I don't think I'm doing them right.

For example, the side to side chops on the ball. I do them with a dumbell and i still can't really feel anything and that can't be right!

Also, the oblique lifts where you are on your side on the ball. I can't feel them either.

Some form pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
andrea

 

[saia11]

Andrea-
One bit of advice for the side to side chops is to make sure that your head/shoulder placement is exactly the same as the girls in the video. Also, be very sure that you are consciously contracting your oblique muscles in this move (and originating the movement from the oblique).
For the oblique lifts you can use Cathe's suggested modification, to come up higher on the ball so that less of your body is supported on the ball in order to increase the leverage of the movement. In addition to that modification you can place both hands behind your head (as you would with a regular crunch) instead of one hand behind your head and the other on the ball, this will increase the workload. You can even extend the arms or one arm out and over the head for an even longer lever.
The main thing about Coremax is that the stronger you get in the abs, the more you can concentrate on form and contraction, making you feel the work even more.
HTH,
Mattea:7

 

[teddy16410]

RE: core max - i dont think i'm doing some of the exerc...

Abdrea-
I empathize! I too use to struggle w/ feeling the burn in abs ... until Cathe!
She sometimes coaches us to Focus- not zone out- pay attention (my words not hers)... She says that you really have to focus on the muscle you are targeting in order to get the burn.
For me- when I tend to "zone" I notice I am rounding my back vs. using my core. Once I re-focus I again feel the burn.
Good Luck!

 

[andieje]

RE: core max - i dont think i'm doing some of the exerc...

Thanks very much for your replies.

I will try those form pointers!

 

[LauraMax]

RE: core max - i dont think i'm doing some of the exerc...

A few things to remember:

--be sure your lower body is stable & immoble during the exercise
--focus on using your obliques rather than your arms. I've frequently see people doing weighted oblique exercises where their torsos are barely moving & their arms are creating the entire range of motion, which makes it a back rather than an oblique exercise.

 

[melodygirl]

RE: core max - i dont think i'm doing some of the exerc...

Andrea,

I found that the more I did coremax, the better my form and concentration became and then I really felt it. So keep practicing on proper form AND really concentrate on the muscles being worked. Oh, don't forget to breath and keep your neck relaxed. There is a lot going on when working abs and much of it really is mental.

Keep at it and don't feel discouraged. I believe as form improves so do intensity and results. It is better to do less correctly than go through the motions of more with improper form.