Tip: The Crunch: Safe or Dangerous?
There's a lot of misinformation out there about the good ol' ab crunch. Here's the truth, backed by science.
June 20
Tip: Stability Ball Cable Rotation
Here the stability ball acts as a cam, providing constant, equal tension. Try this instead of cable chops for core work.
June 11
Tip: The Misinterpreted Ab Training Study
With all the talk these days about having a strong core, why do many lifters still have weak-ass abs? Here's part of the cause.
June 2
Tip: A Core Exercise to Boost Your Bench Press
Try this before your next bench session to lift heavier and stay safer.
May 14
Tip: Reverse Crunch, Correct Form
Using a tight, controlled range of motion (reducing any leg kicking) forces your abs to do more work.
May 13
Tip: Hanging Leg Raise, Proper Form
For this exercise, a short range of motion is superior. If you knees/legs go too far down, it just becomes a hip flexor exercise.
May 12
Tip: Cable Side Bend
People do this exercise with a dumbbell, but you'll get better results with an angled low cable.
May 5
Tip: The Oblique Builder
A strong core takes more than just ab training. Give this exercise a shot.
April 27
Tip: Dumbbell Pull-Across Plank
Crank up your plank with this tough variation.
April 16
Tip: Band Resisted Jackknife
Want a really strong core? Add this tough ab exercise to your program.
Tip: The Cure for Functional Weak Links
Every lifter needs more rotational work in his programming. Try this exercise.
April 11
Tip: The Right Way to Crunch
The stability ball crunch is a good exercise, but most people screw it up. Here's how to do it right for best results.
March 31
Tip: The Core Squat
Here's how to turn a squat into a very challenging core exercise.
March 19
Tip: Treadmill Ab Wheel Roll
Yes, this is super weird. But it nails the transverse abdominis (the deep core muscle that's like a natural weight belt) and even the internal obliques.
March 13
Tip: Hit Your Abs and Chest With One Exercise
All you need is big balls. Actually, just one big ball. Check it out.
March 5
Tip: Single-Arm Plank on Rings
Yes, this is very advanced. First master the plank and the single-arm plank before trying it on rings with added load.
March 4
Tip: The Single-Arm Plank
If you could only choose one exercise to train your core, it should be the single-arm plank.
February 28
Tip: Pulldown Crunch
Blow out all your air on the way down and contract hard. Do 10-12 reps.
February 25
Tip: Plate Crunch
Abs respond better to weighted exercises, like this one, which is also called the prisoner crunch.
February 21
Tip: Cross-Body Plank
If you can plank for more than 30 seconds, you need a more advanced variation. Try this.