Crunches on stability ball question

[mariep]

Hi, Cathe--

I know for most exercises, the goal is to increase the weight if you find it becoming easy. Would this also be the case with crunches on the stability ball (you do them in a few of the workouts in the new series)? You use 8 pounds, which I do, also. It feels great, and I can really feel a good burn in my core while doing it. However, it does feel like I could potentially go heavier, but I'm not sure if that's something that should be done with this exercise.

I hope this makes sense!

Thanks,

Marie

 

[momto2bratz]

Hi Marie,

Your question does make sense!! I would like to know too. I wouldn't want to risk injuring myself by going with a heavier weight either.

Aila

 

[kathryn]

I personally wouldn't go much heavier (and I try to stay at around 3-5#), as you really don't want to build up the ab muscles and have them look bulky either. You can add intensity without extra weight by slowing the movement down, and especially focusing on keeping the abs engaged during the negative portion of the move, or you can add more reps. You can also position yourself differently on the ball to make the move more or less intense: closer to a seated position is less intense, closer to flat (or even the upper body a bit lower, but always with abs engaged) is advanced.

 

[mariep]

Thanks, Kathryn. I was thinking this was probably a place where you wouldn't want to go higher, since you don't want those muscles getting bigger, but I wasn't sure. I do feel it very well in my core when I'm doing them with the 8#s, but I didn't know if I'd feel it even more if I went heavier. I'm still hoping Cathe will reply!

Thanks again!

-Marie