core work for beginners

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9/3/12 1:42 P

when i said "sissy planks" I meant planks but on my knees because its so hard to support my weight w/o being on my knees.

planks are NOT sissy at all.

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9/3/12 11:49 A

I like Ellen Barrett's DVD's -- because they are gentle on the body and focus on strength, balance, and flexibility -- with a mild cardio element. They include some pilates, yoga, and ballet type moves. They provide a general over-all workout. I always feel good when I finish one of them - "exercised" but not strained and/or injured. You can preview them at collagevideo.com.

Some people on SparkPeople would think they are too "easy" -- but for a beginner, they are a good place to start.

I am capable of doing more vigous exercises, but I like to do her DVD's once or twice per week because they feel so good -- and do a good job of working my core in the right way to improve my posture.

Edited by: ONLINEASLLOU at: 9/3/2012 (11:55)

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9/3/12 11:32 A

I agree 100% that planks are reallynot sissy at all. They require a great deal of muscle power to hold in good form for any length of time. I love this type of core exercise because it completely isolates those core muscles; I tend to mix them in with regular crunches, leg raises etc.

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9/3/12 11:21 A

Planks, bicycle crunches, quadrupeds, bridges, straight leg drops, exercise ball crunches, reverse crunches.

I've learned that it's best to ST without videos because they usually do not do enough reps/sets to work your muscles to exhaustation. It is required to work to exhaustation in each set in order to build strength and muscle, followed by a rest period inbetween sets. Exhaustation would be to the point that you could not do another rep in good form. I still do cardio videos but have switched to going STing alone. I am following one circuit training (cardio & ST) video after my ST routine, Jillian Micheal's 30 day shred, just to challenge myself and see if I can complete it.

Edited by: JENNILACEY at: 9/3/2012 (11:23)

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9/3/12 1:08 A

Hey, now. There is nothing sissy about planks! I can only hold them for 30 seconds, and I have been working out and ST for 8 months!

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9/2/12 8:19 P

okay thanx so much. that helps. i might have to stick to sissy planks cuz my upper body is SUPER weak. thanx.

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9/2/12 7:06 P

I like the ten minute ab workout by Insanity. There's almost no lifting of the lower body which for a beginner could cause lower back injuries.

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9/2/12 6:27 P

I dont have a specific workout or DVD I like. But I can say I don't like situs or crunches. I suggest stuff like planks and different full body exercises like Burpees and squats. There is a lot of core work involved in those types of workouts.

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9/2/12 6:15 P

anybody?

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9/1/12 8:36 P

what is your favorite workout/dvd for pure beginners.

and that is core work and full body strength training

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