Streams of Consciousness & Thoughts~~~

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Roh_Chris

Senior Member
Jun 15, 2014
4,728
58
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While doing sit ups/crunches and I don't know what they are called but you start in the sitting up position and then go half way down and back up again. <------- and if that didn't clue you in to the fact that I'm a workout novice my next question might.

What's a decline bench?
Well, it is a variation of sit-up. I would recommend that you start from the lying position and raise up halfway, then lie down again. That is a crunch, and puts more tension on your abdomen.

The decline bench looks like this -

(With the barbell, for the decline benchpress)



(Without the barbell)



This is better for crunches, as you can set the slope using the yellow knob at the foot of the bench. Just pull it, let the bench drop to a slope that is comfortable for you, and click the knob into a slot. Remember - 1. the steeper the decline, the tougher it will be and the greater the intensity of the workout, 2. Lock your feet in the sponge-pads provided and keep your feet tensed as you go crunch/sit-up.

If bodyweight crunches or sit-ups are easy for you (15 reps per set), then hold a plate to your body to add weight. You can start with a 10lb plate, and then work your way up to 25lb, 35lb and 45lb. Ideally, a set should should have between 12-15 clean reps without any assist.

You should find a decline bench in your gym. It is usually in the part of the gym where the big boys work out. If you do not want to go there or if you gym does not have a decline bench, you can use an exercise ball to do the same workout. Here is a gif (not sure if the pic is appropriate for CC!) -

 
Last edited:
Aug 2, 2009
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While doing sit ups/crunches and I don't know what they are called but you start in the sitting up position and then go half way down and back up again. <------- and if that didn't clue you in to the fact that I'm a workout novice my next question might.

What's a decline bench?
I never heard of those but they sound like they would be very bad for your lower back. It would be like doing bicep curls but only lowering the weight halfway before raising it again. Maybe great for overall stamina since you are not resting between reps but the muscle is not getting stimulated through its full range of motion.
 
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Yahweh_is_gracious

Guest
I've always gotten a much better abdominal workout by laying on my back, placing my hands under my rump, then raising my feet six inches off the floor with my legs fully extended and holding them up in the air as long as possible. Crunches can be very bad for a person's lumbar region in their back. YMMV.
 
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NukePooch

Guest
So last night while working out I managed to smash my finger with a 50lb weight. I use those to stick my feet under them while I do ab exercises. I was putting back said 50lb weight...and somehow smashed my finger, on the knuckle. It's very sore. Maybe I need a different method for holding my feet down.


This is what I use...


 

Sonflower

Senior Member
Jan 30, 2016
850
147
43
You guys are awesome. So sweet to offer up all of your advice. :) Thank you.

I do the legs raised thing. It's amazing how much that uses your core. The stuff I do, I was taught by an ex baseball player. It's what they did to workout. (A very small portion of it) So, I don't think anything he taught me is bad for me. That being said, it's nice to have all of these ideas. I'm the kind of person that needs to try new things, otherwise, I start to get bored with my workout. Last night I had a dance party with an internet friend for working out. We had a blast. :)

So, please feel free to keep sharing your ideas. :)
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
26,471
8,805
113
All this talk about working out is making me tired. I need another bowl of dutch chocolate ice cream to get moving today. =^.^=
 

Roh_Chris

Senior Member
Jun 15, 2014
4,728
58
48
You guys are awesome. So sweet to offer up all of your advice. :) Thank you.

I do the legs raised thing. It's amazing how much that uses your core. The stuff I do, I was taught by an ex baseball player. It's what they did to workout. (A very small portion of it) So, I don't think anything he taught me is bad for me. That being said, it's nice to have all of these ideas.
Ah, if you were taught by a professional athlete, then it must be the right workout. Somehow, I guess it was the way I visualized your description, I thought that there was something wrong with your workout. But all is good. :)

Just watch out for those plates. Don't drop them on your toes again! :p
 
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NukePooch

Guest
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NukePooch

Guest
hahaha...

I wasn't expecting this...

Shame on me. I should know better. ;)
If you use pizza boxes in your exercise routine, and you get in trouble...you can always eat your way to safety. No pinched fingers! (Unless you bite your finger by accident.)
 

Sonflower

Senior Member
Jan 30, 2016
850
147
43
If you use pizza boxes in your exercise routine, and you get in trouble...you can always eat your way to safety. No pinched fingers! (Unless you bite your finger by accident.)
I have bitten my tongue or cheek before. I suppose the finger thing could be a real threat.
 
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Yahweh_is_gracious

Guest
This workout talk hurts my fat.

I'm in shape. Round is a shape, right?