Ab exercises problem

[oitnb]

Whenever I do any ab workout, crunches, plank, ect I always strain my neck in the process. It's so frustrating!

 

I can take the pain of my abs burning as I work out, but the way my neck stiffs up and hurts is killing me. It makes it hard to workout.

 

How can I work out my abs and keep my neck relaxed at the same time? It's impossible for me! It always clenches up, like a reflex.

[happyfrank]

Use medicine ball to balance yourself and do crunches. You can do other activities using medicine ball to help work out core.

 

Also do stretches for neck before work outs. Helps make neck stronger.

[In the Dark]

Hanging knee to chin exercise.

Hanging leg lifts.

Knee crunches, but lay your hands flat on either side of the mat.

 

I assume you maybe going for the sit ups?

[alli]

Do you pull on your neck when you do sit ups? Don't do that. You can add weights to your wrists to create more resistance when doing sit ups; just don't lock your hands together behind your neck when you do them.

[liberate]

Do you pull on your neck when you do sit ups? Don't do that. You can add weights to your wrists to create more resistance when doing sit ups; just don't lock your hands together behind your neck when you do them.

 

I'm betting it's this. Either that, or you're just unconsciously flexing your neck as you do the exercises, in which case you just have to focus on relaxing your neck until it becomes habit. Worked for me, anyway.