Ab Link & cross training

[Dogmama]

Here is one of the best sites I've seen lately & a good article on ab training
http://www.highnrg.com/articles/archive/1298article.htm

One thing they mention is the value in cross training. If we continually ride, ride, ride & wonder why we are not losing or (gasp) putting on weight, it's because our bodies might be adapting. Cross training forces your body to use muscles in different ways.

[hibiscus09]

I lift weights 3 times a week, do Yoga (I'm trying ot get it in twice a week) and do my elliptical trainer. Yay! LOL

[Phoenix]

FYI:
I've been needing a good routine for abs! If you know any lower back sources, please post them. (Meanwhile, I'll ck around me ownself)

[hibiscus09]

Hyperextensions are great for the lower back, as are good mornings. Here's an exercise directory that I use a lot that shows form and a variety of exercises for every body part. :)

http://www.exrx.net/Lists/Directory.html

here's the page for lower back in particular:

http://www.exrx.net/Lists/ExList/WaistWt.html#anchor1945210

[Kpicha]

Wow! That site has everything! They look like great stretches. I really need to start stretching again, thanks for that info!

Cheers,
Kristina

[missliz]

Something to be very carefull of- if you don't crosstrain with a weight bearing type activity you'll make a training adaptation and get the bird bones. It's really creepy feeling too, been there for a short while. Got mine back but you don't want to go there.
Literally, you'll ditch bone mass and get thinner and sometimes hollowing in the bones just like a bird. This is not only a pre osteoporosis problem, but if you biff you break really easily. You can tell the people who have this, they're usually really scrawny gaunt men who ride and ride but don't get that healthy buff look like the tri guys or racers who go to the gym. There's often muscle mass loss with it too.
I know a guy who got this, then got caught in a pile up and broke a leg in three places. Wouldn't heal for a couple years! Estrogen protects us to a point, but why take a risk?

Lizzy

I've been doing these Pilates exercises for core strength- they're amazing! Don't have a link, got them from PT but my SI joints were wobbly and I've gotten really stable lately. Six pack abs are back! :) Get a book, not a tape- The tapes don't explain it very well.

[Dogmama]

Lizzy,

What pilates book(s) do you recommend?

Kim

[missliz]

(blushes and squirms) Actually- um- I keep meaning to go back to Barnes and Noble and get this one on the sale table with really big pictures...:D No, honestly, I tried a bunch of tapes from library, video store, ect and couldn't make heads or tails of it, then my PT gave me exercises on paper copied from a book she keeps forgetting to show me. It worked much better for me. There's a breathing component like yoga and it can be confusing so to refer to notes helped me learn it correctly. And correct position is shown, all those flailing bodies on the tapes are confusing too.
And there really is a big ole Pilates book at B&N with big pictures of anatomy and musclature, just don't know the name yet. There must be other decent ones too.
Sorry, wish I were more organized. If I can figure out my Web space I'll try to upload my rumply peices of paper from PT. That's this weekends project.

Lizzy