Thread: What's the best way to activate abs?

I've watched a small handful of youtube vids but I still don't feel like I have a clear grasp. Whether it's activation by pulling your belly button into your spine, or keeping the low back arched, or some other 'most important' factor - I just don't get it. I want to tear my core up, but I want to make sure I'm doing it right. Does anyone feel comfortable and confident with their core exercises and is able to adequately describe the physical sensation?

I do decline sit-ups literally at an almost 90 degree angle. 10 sets daily with a 10 lb plate until failure.

Get into this position called tabletop. Pay attention to foot position.

https://images.app.goo.gl/ushAxUg8jiu1YmUC7



Press through the tops of your feet and lift knees about 6 inches to a foot off the ground. Exhale and pull navel to spine.

Hold position. Forces that pelvic tilt that people often miss when planking etc.

Good "priming" exercise prior to ab sets. After that hit the classics like controlled knee raises where you "scoop" your knees around.

I like to make it dynamic by raising and lowering the knees. Can also do more balance and QLs by doing bird dogs in that position.

Originally Posted by ChrisLS8

My main exercise is cable crunches, there are also different variations. I keep lower back straight and focus on using just the ab muscles to pull my upper body and the added weight down.

Also I try to keep the handles near the top of my head. Works well for me

There are other exercises that you can try out, weighted leg raises, planks, weighted kicks etc.

I haven't done these in a while but I know I used to like them.

Originally Posted by LethalGunz34

I do decline sit-ups literally at an almost 90 degree angle. 10 sets daily with a 10 lb plate until failure.

I do these, though a low angle. It's a favorite actually. But this is one where I can easily get messy when tired. If I go very slow and controlled, and focus on pulling my belly button in, it's pretty good. But one of the vids I referenced also walked through the decline sit up. He said to activate the low back, keeping it arched, and when you lay back, you allow your abs to stretch, let your shoulder blades just touch the pad, and then crunch. I can do the exercise this way too, but I'm not sure it's better than the other.

Originally Posted by Pumpinmirin

Get into this position called tabletop. Pay attention to foot position.

https://images.app.goo.gl/ushAxUg8jiu1YmUC7



Press through the tops of your feet and lift knees about 6 inches to a foot off the ground. Exhale and pull navel to spine.

Hold position. Forces that pelvic tilt that people often miss when planking etc.

Good "priming" exercise prior to ab sets. After that hit the classics like controlled knee raises where you "scoop" your knees around.

I like to make it dynamic by raising and lowering the knees. Can also do more balance and QLs by doing bird dogs in that position.

I'll give this a shot in my bedroom. Prolly not the gym. lol

Planks

Originally Posted by JC20010

Crow pose
Dragon flags
L sits on palms(not using handles)

Yea word, had to google each of these.

Originally Posted by wasp9166

Planks

I'll never understand how static exercises could actually compare to a dynamic one.

Originally Posted by Pumpinmirin

Always one phaggot who recommends advanced exercises to a guy asking for help feeling his abs lol.

Gotcha on RC brah

Trust me

Do 1:30 planks 3 times a day everyday

And tell me you don't notice fat loss on mid section after a week

Course ,diet in check