Off-Topic General Discussion - Page 2078

On May 29 2014 09:24 mordek wrote:

Because Soniv was advocating crunches and Xes recommended squats and I agreed.

I was hoping you'd add more to the discussion

On May 29 2014 10:43 mordek wrote:
I just don't know how red missed the first half is all

you stream again soon?

On May 29 2014 09:24 mordek wrote:

Because Soniv was advocating crunches and Xes recommended squats and I agreed.

I was hoping you'd add more to the discussion

On May 29 2014 10:43 mordek wrote:
I just don't know how red missed the first half is all

On May 29 2014 11:06 xes wrote:

So what you're saying is we're not having enough sex

On May 29 2014 10:59 red_ wrote:


Well adding to the initial discussion would feel like bragging(#notsosubtlebrag complete).

As for ab work, it is correct that the primary function is resisting postural change(and supporting the spine through intra-abdominal pressure), and for the average person something like a plank serves better to improve that function than your typical situps/crunches. Once you go beyond the average person though, training the muscle starts to change.

For example, most athletic movements involve transfer of energy/movement through the core, which can require a very strong contraction to maintain proper alignment. This is largely an unconscious event that happens as you do it(you probably don't think 'flex core' as you jump, you're too worried about your legs), but the musculature is no less important. For aesthetic reasons, the more you develop your abs the deeper the lines formed by the tendinous intersections will be, so people end up training them for hypertrophy like anything else(ok maybe not anything else, because the goal isn't quite 'as big as possible' like most other muscle groups).

There are a ridiculous number of ways to train your abs(and less specifically, the whole 'core'). Pick some of it and do it, although at minimum I'd say a person should train the 3 different 'patterns' of movement, which would be resisting movement(plank type stuff), bringing hips up(leg raises and whatnot), and bringing ribs down(sit-ups).

I think all the rage right now is (probably rightfully so) on glute activation anyways, because a ridiculous amount of people have anterior pelvic tilt and weak hips, so you guys are wayyyy late on this ab hype.



I saw the conversation, I just meant that a rounded back is never the goal in a squat, so discussing why one would want to train squats shouldn't involve discussing when one would purposely put their back in a rounded position under load. That said, again, training with a rounded back under load(round back good mornings is the most common), is more about training the lower back and hips to prevent that by strengthening, than it is about being good under that specific stress(execpting perhaps powerlifters and strongmen who might find themselves there under extreme load).

I think I fixed everything, next time I will use the preview button.

On May 29 2014 11:23 mordek wrote:

Ok thanks My whole point was why am I doing crunches when I don't want to put my back in that position. I definitely appreciated the explanation and I'm sure others did too.

On May 29 2014 11:37 red_ wrote:


Well when done properly your spine isn't in any sort of compromised position doing a sit-up. It can get somewhat rounded, but the load shouldn't be on it in a way that is stressful(because of the bracing from your very much flexed abs), and the load isn't shearing or extremely compressive. The problem happens when you initiate with your hips with messes with your spinal alignment during the rest of the movement(and also means you aren't bracing your spine with your abs).

On May 29 2014 11:52 mordek wrote:

It's not so much concern for my back while doing a sit-up but more why am I training this movement functionally. I hadn't thought that with increased intensity you probably do need to go above and beyond anything isometric so I'm with you there that this can be useful. Wouldn't you be better served doing a standing cable crunch at least?

On May 29 2014 12:00 red_ wrote:


Cable crunches are great, I tend to do mine from a kneeling position though(insert gay

On May 29 2014 10:56 phathom321 wrote:
Sacred Stone is probably my favorite FE game, maybe it's a lot of nostalgia but I had a lot more fun playing it as a kid and find it a lot easier to go back and play now a days. The split campaign also makes replaying it pretty cool.