RSS
Situps Suck
Maybe a few more crunches will do it.
No matter what you call it-a six pack, a tight tummy or ‘the core’-everyone wants a well-defined, strong midsection.
Not only is it a crucial and often underdeveloped area in the realm of physical performance and injury prevention, great abs also signal fitness, virility and strength to those around us. In short, it’s an important step on the path to looking good naked.
How many people around you actually have this kind of midsection? Probably not very many. Is that “I don’t have a six-pack, I’ve got a keg” joke ever really funny? It’s more sad than anything.
Why? Why is it that something that so many people want is so difficult to attain?
Consider for a moment the possibility that the conventional wisdom regarding abdominal training and getting lean in general is, well, not actually wisdom. It’s pluralistic ignorance.
Around two-thirds of Americans are overweight. Half of those are obese. That means really fat. Not just a bit thick. And overweight ain’t too pretty either. Now, out of that one-third that isn’t overweight, how many of them are actually strong, lean and healthy?
When it comes to attaining this goal of a lean, strong midsection, the conventional wisdom comes from the consensus of the majority. Think about that. The overweight majority. If the method that was effective was the method that everyone used, wouldn’t everyone be lean and have the body they desired? Yes, they would. Or quite nearly.
The simple truth is that what everyone does is not what works.
What does the majority do when they want to lose weight, or get a leaner tummy?
Eat less. Run more. Do a bunch of situps and crunches.
Eating less. Wrong.
Running more. Wrong.
Situps and crunches. Hmm... Also wrong.
There is a better way. It’s a clear, easily defined path. It’s not necessarily easy to carry out. Breaking from conventionality seldom is. It’s also not the same thing that everyone else is doing.
But it works.
On Facebook
On T-Nation
On Flickr
Comments For This Entry
Posted by Darren Ellis at 03:21PM on August 18, 2008
Well said Craig. You only have to take a look at the abs on the Olympic sprinters and gymnasts. You can bet that none of them has done a single crunch in the last decade. They built their midsections with high intensity training and a good diet, nothing more.
Posted by Roxy at 10:42AM on August 27, 2008
So, finish, how do we get rid of the extra love in the mid section? Women have this problem even when we do the right things so help me, what do we do Master?
Posted by Roxy at 10:56AM on August 27, 2008
Ok, let me clear something up, I was not talking about the problem the woman in the picture has, that is hitting obese. But, I have this little guy I just can not get rid of, any suggestions?
Posted by Craig Weller at 01:15PM on August 27, 2008
The report "Why Situps Suck" covers all that in pretty good detail, and you can get it for free by signing up for the newsletter in the top right-hand corner. If you hit any snags after that or have any questions you can email me and I'll be happy to help you out.
Posted by Blue at 07:03PM on September 16, 2008
Dude-
You said it man, there really is no substitution for hard work and dedication... something that the obese among us are lacking. That isn't necessarily their fault though. They just haven't been properly educated as to what they need to work hard on and be dedicated to. Go forth Craig, and educate the masses...
Posted by Justin Bell at 04:27PM on September 18, 2008
But Craig, There is no icing on that cupcake!
Posted by Jack at 02:45PM on December 27, 2008
I just read the whole article and have to say how much agree w/everything in it. Training abs is all wrong. Just go to the any gym and observe how backwards it is. The three suggestions by Craig is the most effective way. I have been doing these three things the last year and found great results.
Another great article written by Craig. Keep up the great work and I look forward to reading more from U!
Jack
Comment On This Blog Entry