![\"how-to-get-six-pack-abs\"](\"https:\/\/blog.brianschiff.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/how-to-get-six-pack-abs.jpg\" "\\"how-to-get-six-pack-abs\\"")
<\/p>\nMost adult males are in search of that ever elusive six pack, right? \u00a0Well, most intelligent trainers and strength coaches are well aware that there is so much more than just crunches to making the core functional.<\/p>\n
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With that said, I believe abs may be one of the most over trained sets of muscles today. \u00a0Some people are doing ab work daily. \u00a0Why? \u00a0Our abs function daily to stabilize and resist force, as well as activate trunk movements.<\/p>\n
In reality, the aesthetics of the midsection have far more to do with nutrition and body fat than the number of crunches one does. \u00a0My aim today is not to discuss this, but instead to talk about an interesting article in the latest Strength and Conditioning Journal<\/em> that discusses the effects of over training the rectus abdominis on weightlifting performance.<\/p>\n In this article, Ellyn Robinson discusses the best way to allow athletes to stabilize weight overhead during complex lifts such as snatches, cleans and jerks. \u00a0She aptly points out that if an athlete cannot stabilize the weight overhead, he\/she could miss the lift in front or behind the body.<\/p>\n In a nutshell, she states that athletes with overdeveloped rectus abdominis tend to lose the weight out front because of a forward trunk lean. \u00a0In addition, she notes that the rectus will naturally overpower the transverse abdominis and spinal erectors.<\/p>\n When training the core, you must consider the following muscles groups:<\/p>\n So, beyond missing a lift overdeveloped rectus abdominis can also contribute to increased low back pain as the body comes out of its natural lordosis. \u00a0Balance in the core program is key.<\/p>\n I have long argued that clients need to do more low back strength work to balance ab work, and she echoes that in her article. \u00a0Too much abdominal work without balancing extensor work can create a posterior pelvic tilt and contribute to undue strain on the discs.<\/p>\n When seeking better stabilization, we should look for exercises that create compression and use isometrics. \u00a0She includes exercises like:<\/p>\n ** See the article for a complete list of her exercises.<\/p>\n The take home message here is that we as strength and conditioning professionals and rehab specialists must create a balanced core training program and be sure to emphasize the extensors and stabilizers as well as the flexors.<\/p>\n Reference<\/span> – 2010 Strength & Conditioning Journa<\/em>l (Volume 23, Number 5)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Most adult males are in search of that ever elusive six pack, right? \u00a0Well, most intelligent trainers and strength coaches are well aware that there is so much more than just crunches to making the core functional. With that said, I believe abs may be one of the most over trained sets of muscles today. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[67,3,7,27,8,5,26],"tags":[132,134,68,133,116],"class_list":["post-761","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-core","category-fitness","category-injury-prevention","category-low-back","category-rehab","category-sports-performance","category-training","tag-abdominal-training","tag-core-exercise","tag-core-training","tag-low-back-injury","tag-low-back-pain"],"yoast_head":"\n\n
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