FunFitChicks: Fun, Effective Workouts 4 Women

In my last post, I talked about fitness industry lies and how even some of the most reliable sources of information can often be misleading.  In that instance, I was referring to an article which stated that training with kettlebells will give you “twice the results in half the time”.  Part of that is true, but they left out some important considerations.  If you didn’t read my post, check it out here.

Today, I’m going to bust open another deceiving practice in the fitness industry: using popular fitness myths and twisting them into a marketing ploy.  Here is an example.  A fellow fitness professional here in Texas markets his “Abs Uncrunched” program.  Before I discuss this program further, understand that I think a lot of the information this trainer provides is solid fitness advice.  He recommends short, intense workouts and cardio interval training.  He also provides nutritional advice advocating healthy, unprocessed, natural foods.  Good stuff!

However, I do take issue with his marketing ploy, which directly leads to a glaring weakness in the program.  The myth he is using as his jump off point is of course that doing crunches and other ab exercises will get you a lean stomach…a 6-pack.  This is absolutely a myth.  I’m not arguing with him there.  But what he does is jumps to the other extreme (a common marketing tactic) and has created a fitness program whereby you can get a 6-pack without doing ANY crunches.   EVER!  NONE!

You may lose weight on his program.  Your abs may start showing, but they may also be extremely weak.  On his blog, the ab expert guy has mentioned how you shouldn’t do any ab work that involves crunching (planks and stuff are ok).  He states that the abs are stabilizer muscles and therefore get plenty of work from other exercises.

The abs are stabilizers.  But their main function is flexion of the spine (which is what a crunch does).  In order to keep your abs strong and avoid muscular imbalance that could lead to issues like low back pain, you should include ab work, including crunches, in your fitness routine.

Not a lot.  Not everyday.  Not 1000 crunches.  Planks are good.  But crunches of some form should be in there too, on occasion, since crunches mimic the main function of the abdominal muscles.  I know from experience.  I hate doing ab work, and as a trainer, I know perfectly well that ab work doesn’t help me show off my abs.  So I skip it.  A lot.  Too often.  And the result is always the same…my abs get weak, my low back hurts more…

The bottom line: when you are purchasing fitness products, always beware of the marketing gimmick.  There is almost always one.  It doesn’t mean the product isn’t good, but you should always know the truth behind what you are buying.

There is no fitness product out there that is the final, ultimate answer for all your fitness needs.  Every product has limitations and weaknesses.  Just make sure you jump in with full knowledge before giving up your hard-earned cash.

Here’s is an example of a solid ab workout that you can incorporate into your fitness routine.  You would only do this workout 2-3 times per week.

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