mini-natty
Cathlete
I just read this response from Cathe with regards to traditional-style sit-ups being back in style. Very interesting:
"Full sit ups have come back into the "acceptable" list of ab exercises for a few years now. It started when planks became more popular. The fitness industry shifted towards functional core strength which opened a new category of metabolic workouts which then started turning its back on traditional crunches and making planks and full sit ups and all variations of them more "in". The thought is that when you live life you use your muscles to react to whatever is thrown your way so therefore you should train with a more non-traditional approach which involved, twists, deep squats, full sit ups, box jumps, pull ups & push ups from all angles, etc.
I personally believe both approaches work well (crunches and full sit ups). That being said, I do think you need to use "today's" less conservative approach to fitness more conservatively than what I am seeing put out there.
As far as the sit up push up combo....PLEASE do them as slowly as you need to. They are tough!!! But as you get better at them you will see that you are able to flip over and do them with more speed too. Bottom line: Do whatever you can do to the bet of your ability."
"Full sit ups have come back into the "acceptable" list of ab exercises for a few years now. It started when planks became more popular. The fitness industry shifted towards functional core strength which opened a new category of metabolic workouts which then started turning its back on traditional crunches and making planks and full sit ups and all variations of them more "in". The thought is that when you live life you use your muscles to react to whatever is thrown your way so therefore you should train with a more non-traditional approach which involved, twists, deep squats, full sit ups, box jumps, pull ups & push ups from all angles, etc.
I personally believe both approaches work well (crunches and full sit ups). That being said, I do think you need to use "today's" less conservative approach to fitness more conservatively than what I am seeing put out there.
As far as the sit up push up combo....PLEASE do them as slowly as you need to. They are tough!!! But as you get better at them you will see that you are able to flip over and do them with more speed too. Bottom line: Do whatever you can do to the bet of your ability."