I can't feel the burn when doing crunches anymore?!
Question:
I can't feel the burn when doing crunches anymore?
I usually do 300 reps(3 mins. rest per 150 reps), and now I can't really feel the burn when doing it even when I reach 500 reps! Am I doing it wrong the whole time?! And please, be sure with your answers without putting MAYBE on it
Answers:
I would assume that your body has become used to them. try changing your position slightly.
From http://www.fitstep.com/library/exercises...
"Feet on a bench
Some people like to put their feet up on a bench when doing crunch. Be aware that this also activates the hip flexors.
If you do want to do these, keep your heels about six inches apart and touch your toes together.
This will minimize hip flexor involvement.
Also, push down with your heels to activate the glutes and hamstrings.
These muscles directly oppose the action of the hips flexors and will keep hip flexor involvement to a minimum
6. Push with heels
At the top of the crunch movement, push with your heels to tilt the pelvis up slightly, lifting your tailbone off the floor a little. This increases lower ab involvement and increases the contraction by moving the pelvis closer to the ribcage.
7. Feet in the air
Try to crunch with your feet up in the air and your knees bent like you're sitting.
Crunch upward instead of towards your knees for a different way of hitting the muscle.
Imagine as though you are trying to press your face onto the ceiling.
You may even wish to reach up with your hands as though making palm prints on the ceiling.
This will help you lead with your shoulders.
This has a different feel than the typical crunch which focuses on simply bring the ribcage to the pelvis.
8. Lengthwise on a bench
Try doing crunches lying lengthwise on a bench. Slide yourself down to the end of the bench to that the upper part of your torso is hanging off (the edge should be just below your shoulder blades). This will give you a greater range of motion by allowing you to flex your upper back around the end of the bench. Don't go so far back that you fall off though.
9. Increasing crunch difficulty
To increase the difficulty of a regular crunch, place your feet on a low step (about 6 inches), point your toes and press your heels against the surface of the step as you crunch. This contracts your hamstrings, which relaxes your hip flexors, forcing your abs to work harder."