22 replies to this topic

[wheelzoffortune]

I've been lifting weights and exercising regularly since I was a freshman in high school. Obviously I only do upper body lifts, though. I'm really happy with how my body/muscles look with the exception of my abs. Since I have titanium rods attached to my spine, I can't do crunches or anything like that. So, I was wondering if anyone could recommend some alternate ab/core exercises. Thanks.

[Tetracyclone]

I just watched your vid and agree- great body!

[AbiliCize]

I've been wondering about those belts that work with electric currents to stimulate muscles. I wouldn't want to try anything before talking to a doc first, but they look interesting and I've been meaning to check them out. If you look into it, please let me know what you find.

[greybeard]

Tetracyclone, on 15 February 2011 - 01:30 PM, said:

I just watched your vid and agree- great body!

Stop dribbling, Pat. He's far too young for you.

[Tetracyclone]

greybeard, on 21 February 2011 - 12:29 AM, said:

Tetracyclone, on 15 February 2011 - 01:30 PM, said:

I just watched your vid and agree- great body!

Stop dribbling, Pat. He's far too young for you.

Well, I forget that and many other things easily at this age...

[wheelzoffortune]

AbiliCize, on 21 February 2011 - 12:10 AM, said:

I've been wondering about those belts that work with electric currents to stimulate muscles. I wouldn't want to try anything before talking to a doc first, but they look interesting and I've been meaning to check them out. If you look into it, please let me know what you find.

I tried one of those a few years ago and did not have much success with it. I could feel the muscle being stimulated, but I didn't really notice a difference in my physique.

[Adil]

You can extend your arm all the way out to the side while holding a weight. Do an iron cross with a weight in one hand and nothing in the other. Then bend both elbows to bring your hands to your chest. Transfer the weight to the other hand go back to the iron cross position. Repeat with light weight and many reps. You must not use a back rest. Focus on keeping your posture perfect. Another exercise is to lie flat on your back with your arms flat on the mat and hands extended above your head. Then lift your arms off the mat with locked elbows. Repeat with light weight and many reps. You will feel the burn in your abbs. repeat the same exercise on your stomach for your back muscles. You can do cable exercises that engage the abbs and back together without bending the back. Examples are seated rows and lat pull downs.

A physical therapist is your best bet if you can.

[wheelzoffortune]

Adil, on 11 March 2011 - 09:41 AM, said:

You can extend your arm all the way out to the side while holding a weight. Do an iron cross with a weight in one hand and nothing in the other. Then bend both elbows to bring your hands to your chest. Transfer the weight to the other hand go back to the iron cross position. Repeat with light weight and many reps. You must not use a back rest. Focus on keeping your posture perfect. Another exercise is to lie flat on your back with your arms flat on the mat and hands extended above your head. Then lift your arms off the mat with locked elbows. Repeat with light weight and many reps. You will feel the burn in your abbs. repeat the same exercise on your stomach for your back muscles. You can do cable exercises that engage the abbs and back together without bending the back. Examples are seated rows and lat pull downs.

A physical therapist is your best bet if you can.

Thanks, I already do rows and lat pulls at the gym, but I haven't tried the other things you mentioned, so I'll give them a whirl.

[Adil]

wheelzoffortune, on 15 March 2011 - 02:41 PM, said:

Adil, on 11 March 2011 - 09:41 AM, said:

You can extend your arm all the way out to the side while holding a weight. Do an iron cross with a weight in one hand and nothing in the other. Then bend both elbows to bring your hands to your chest. Transfer the weight to the other hand go back to the iron cross position. Repeat with light weight and many reps. You must not use a back rest. Focus on keeping your posture perfect. Another exercise is to lie flat on your back with your arms flat on the mat and hands extended above your head. Then lift your arms off the mat with locked elbows. Repeat with light weight and many reps. You will feel the burn in your abbs. repeat the same exercise on your stomach for your back muscles. You can do cable exercises that engage the abbs and back together without bending the back. Examples are seated rows and lat pull downs.

A physical therapist is your best bet if you can.

Thanks, I already do rows and lat pulls at the gym, but I haven't tried the other things you mentioned, so I'll give them a whirl.

The first exercise will engage all three abb muscle groups. You will probably fatigue with little weight. But once you build up to higher weight, not only will you be stronger but you will also have better posture, which has many benefits like more control, greater range of motion, wider reach, better digestion, less pain.

Keep up the exercise!

[Beautiful]

greybeard, on 21 February 2011 - 12:29 AM, said:

Tetracyclone, on 15 February 2011 - 01:30 PM, said:

I just watched your vid and agree- great body!

Stop dribbling, Pat. He's far too young for you.

Not for me

But I feel your pain. I'm very petite, but I still want that tight stomach. My balance is horrible, but I find that working on that actually helps my abs. I like doing push ups too. I always feel the burn in my stomach afterward. Haha.

[wheelzoffortune]

Beautiful, on 18 March 2011 - 08:14 AM, said:

greybeard, on 21 February 2011 - 12:29 AM, said:

Tetracyclone, on 15 February 2011 - 01:30 PM, said:

I just watched your vid and agree- great body!

Stop dribbling, Pat. He's far too young for you.

Not for me

But I feel your pain. I'm very petite, but I still want that tight stomach. My balance is horrible, but I find that working on that actually helps my abs. I like doing push ups too. I always feel the burn in my stomach afterward. Haha.

That is an excellent point. Boat pose is especially helpful for improving balance and as you mentioned, abs, also. It is just kind of boring sitting in boat pose for a long time. =|

[Glasher]

wheelzoffortune, on 22 February 2011 - 02:48 PM, said:

AbiliCize, on 21 February 2011 - 12:10 AM, said:

I've been wondering about those belts that work with electric currents to stimulate muscles. I wouldn't want to try anything before talking to a doc first, but they look interesting and I've been meaning to check them out. If you look into it, please let me know what you find.

I tried one of those a few years ago and did not have much success with it. I could feel the muscle being stimulated, but I didn't really notice a difference in my physique.

Those Tens Units were designed to try to help the keep muscles of those in a coma tone. Results were minimal at best. The only other current (no pun intended) theraputic use those Tens Units are prescribed is for relaxing muscles. By the pulsating elictrical current put to the muscle to fatigue the muscle, it can then relax, as used for my wife during her phisical therapy.

So the next time you see any variation of the Tens Unit for sale on an infomercial for building muscles, you'll have yet further proof that truth-in-advertising is dead and buried.

(disclaimer)
**Of course that last paragraph if of my opinion and not a legal one.** hint, hint

Edited by Glasher, 20 March 2011 - 07:01 PM.

[wheelzoffortune]

Glasher, on 20 March 2011 - 06:58 PM, said:

wheelzoffortune, on 22 February 2011 - 02:48 PM, said:

AbiliCize, on 21 February 2011 - 12:10 AM, said:

I've been wondering about those belts that work with electric currents to stimulate muscles. I wouldn't want to try anything before talking to a doc first, but they look interesting and I've been meaning to check them out. If you look into it, please let me know what you find.

I tried one of those a few years ago and did not have much success with it. I could feel the muscle being stimulated, but I didn't really notice a difference in my physique.

Those Tens Units were designed to try to help the keep muscles of those in a coma tone. Results were minimal at best. The only other current (no pun intended) theraputic use those Tens Units are prescribed is for relaxing muscles. By the pulsating elictrical current put to the muscle to fatigue the muscle, it can then relax, as used for my wife during her phisical therapy.

So the next time you see any variation of the Tens Unit for sale on an infomercial for building muscles, you'll have yet further proof that truth-in-advertising is dead and buried.

(disclaimer)
**Of course that last paragraph if of my opinion and not a legal one.** hint, hint

Yeah, I figured as much. It was worth a try anyway.

A big part of having a nice midsection is diet, though, so I'm hoping that my new one (diet) will help out.

[AbiliCize]

Glasher, on 20 March 2011 - 06:58 PM, said:

wheelzoffortune, on 22 February 2011 - 02:48 PM, said:

AbiliCize, on 21 February 2011 - 12:10 AM, said:

I've been wondering about those belts that work with electric currents to stimulate muscles. I wouldn't want to try anything before talking to a doc first, but they look interesting and I've been meaning to check them out. If you look into it, please let me know what you find.

I tried one of those a few years ago and did not have much success with it. I could feel the muscle being stimulated, but I didn't really notice a difference in my physique.

Those Tens Units were designed to try to help the keep muscles of those in a coma tone. Results were minimal at best. The only other current (no pun intended) theraputic use those Tens Units are prescribed is for relaxing muscles. By the pulsating elictrical current put to the muscle to fatigue the muscle, it can then relax, as used for my wife during her phisical therapy.

So the next time you see any variation of the Tens Unit for sale on an infomercial for building muscles, you'll have yet further proof that truth-in-advertising is dead and buried.

(disclaimer)
**Of course that last paragraph if of my opinion and not a legal one.** hint, hint

Thanks for saving me the money!

Speaking of diet... I've been trying to cut out all the "bad" liquids in my diet (well, most anyway) and have been flushing with water. My body is still trying to get used to all of the water but wow my stomach and abs feel completely different. Less overall bloat, less gas, feels great. Am looking forward to when my body gets used to the water and I see the full impact.

Edited by AbiliCize, 21 March 2011 - 02:58 PM.

[dangerousdave]

Since I started to use those Tens m/c on my abs I have noticed that my bowl movements are easier in the morning
Now i'm not saying thats a good reason for using one
I raise the point to ask if anybody else has noticed this phenomina

[Tony Davenport]

If you sit up right on a therapy table, straddle it with both legs on the sides of it for stabilization. using an ab wheel roller or small ball like 55cm exercise ball perform ball roll outs. this is just one of many exercises i have performed with a current SCI client. i have a video of him doing it. email me with your contact and i will forward it to you.

Antoine Davenport
M.S. in Exercise Science

[Tony Davenport]

Dangerous Dave,
Our Gastro intestinal tract is lining with SMOOTH muscle to propel bolus to the anus. strengthening your abdominal muscles (skeletal) helps those in GI tract to do their job better. I will ask around to see if anyone else noticed smoother movements.

Tony

[wheelzoffortune]

Tony Davenport, on 09 May 2011 - 12:04 AM, said:

If you sit up right on a therapy table, straddle it with both legs on the sides of it for stabilization. using an ab wheel roller or small ball like 55cm exercise ball perform ball roll outs. this is just one of many exercises i have performed with a current SCI client. i have a video of him doing it. email me with your contact and i will forward it to you.

Antoine Davenport
M.S. in Exercise Science

Very cool, I will PM you. Thanks!

[Tetracyclone]

Anything that promotes movement in the abdominal region promotes healthier bowel function. In rehab we ere taught to do abdominal massage for this reason.

It is similar to blood circulation, wherein the heart is only supposed to be responsible for about 40% of our circulation. The rest, in an AB person, occurs because of general muscle function and movement.

Wheelers- our feet and legs swell because we cannot use them. All on the same principle.

[wheelzoffortune]

Tetracyclone, on 11 May 2011 - 12:45 AM, said:

It is similar to blood circulation, wherein the heart is only supposed to be responsible for about 40% of our circulation. The rest, in an AB person, occurs because of general muscle function and movement.

I never thought about that. I guess that is why my doctors always wanted me to "use" my legs even when I didn't see the sense in it.

[Tetracyclone]

wheelzoffortune, on 22 May 2011 - 11:53 PM, said:

Tetracyclone, on 11 May 2011 - 12:45 AM, said:

It is similar to blood circulation, wherein the heart is only supposed to be responsible for about 40% of our circulation. The rest, in an AB person, occurs because of general muscle function and movement.

I never thought about that. I guess that is why my doctors always wanted me to "use" my legs even when I didn't see the sense in it.

Exactly. It doesn't get you anywhere but is good for overall health.

[dukimen]

dangerousdave, on 21 March 2011 - 03:11 PM, said:

Since I started to use those Tens m/c on my abs I have noticed that my bowl movements are easier in the morning
Now i'm not saying thats a good reason for using one
I raise the point to ask if anybody else has noticed this phenomina

considering bowel movement it works for me too... not as 100% rule but its better
but I haven`t noticed improvement in my abs muscles

[Blazergrad]

I've been wondering the same thing myself in terms of ab exercises as I really can't do very much in terms of crunches. I've only been working out since about March, so I'm truly a newbie when it comes to exercising, but I've been consistent with it and I've been working on my diet as well and I can honestly say that I can see a bit of a difference already. I've started doing pull-ups as part of my routine and I've noticed that I can really feel those in my abs/midsection.

Some good ideas on here that I'm definitely going to try!