Neck ache during ab exercises

[andyrobo3]

Hi, Andy, 17 years

So here's my story; broke my ankle 6 months ago, have been able to run and do exercise for 2 months, have started doing home workouts including ab exercises mainly this one:



During my workout e.g. sit-ups, crunches etc. my neck begins to ache only like 3 minutes in and it gets so bad i can only continue for another minute, can someone please tell me what I am doing wrong.
Thank you

 

[dswithers]

1. ab exercises do not give you a six pack, eating correctly to reduce body fat allows your six pack to show, stop doing endless crunches and situps!!! 2 sets of 12-15 situps or leg raises (with added resistance as needed) 2-3 times a week is all you need to maximize ab muscle development
2. you cannot spot reduce to any meaningful extent as that video proports, a caloric deficit will tend to support weight loss, a caloric deficit coupled with a resistance exercise program will tend to support fat loss.

 

[BasketLady]

While agreeing with the previous post entirely, to answer your question, you probably need to strengthen the muscles of your neck.

Without watching the video, I can tell you, while doing crunches (which are probably one of the least effective ab exercises), start with your hands at your ears or not supporting the neck - as you fatigue, you can slide your hands behind your head for support - do not pull on the head or neck. Make sure your head is in line with the rest of your spine, and you are moving as one unit (not letting the head come out of line and you move - swinging up and down).

Another little trick, that helps for a short period of time is putting your tongue on the roof of your mouth behind your teeth

Good luck.

 

[Goldfish]

I agree with the above posters, and will add one more thing again (I, too, have not watched the video) - if you're in a supine position for 3+min with your head unsupported, then of course your neck's going to start aching. If you want a 6 pack, exercises that take no more than about 1min are the ones that will cause the best muscular gains. The abs are just like any other muscle group, in that moderate-to-heavy exercises have more strength and size gains, and light exercises (and if you're still moving after a minute, the exercise is probably light) have more endurance gains. Who has bigger legs? The sprinter or the long-distance runner? The same logic will apply to any other bodypart.

 

[summer123]

The reason your neck is hurting is because your abs have stopped working. Your neck is taking over and is not equipt to lift such a weight. The moment you feel your neck ache? either try a new position or exercise (eg the plank), look at your posture: make sure your holding yourself properly: do not crunch your neck into your chest, keep your eyes focused upwards 45 degrees. Keep your back straight, when you lift imagine your chest rising, not being pulled down towards your pelvis.

But basicly if your neck starts to ache, it means you need to stop and retrain your abs another day. Stregnthen your abs not your neck- no one wants a stocky looking neck!