How can I do a good ab workout without putting a strain on my neck?
July 2nd, 2009 | 
Author: Every time I do crunches, sit-ups, etc.. it puts a strain on my neck. Then I really dont look forward to doing them. I also usually busy so its hard to do ab workouts. So how can I do an ab workout without hurting my neck and try to fit it in my schedule?
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If your neck hurts when doing these exercises, you’re doing them wrong. I bet you have your hands behind your head supporting your head, don’t you? What your doing is pulling your head up with your arms to assist you with your sit ups, thus pulling on your neck. Also, by doing this, your abs are not doing the brunt of the work.
Try doing this instead. Cross your hands across your chest and leave them there. Look up at the ceiling when doing your sit ups. And really concentrate on contracting your abs to PULL your head up.
u r doing them incorrectly u should be straining your abdominal muscles not the neck
tighten ab and stomach to aid in lift
GET A TRAINER
The only ab workout I do is a simple one…i lay on my back flat, hands on the ground flat, and lift legs up slightly so my feet are off the ground. Then I lift my legs up then back down, but not touching my feet to the ground. Want to make it harder, lift your torso slightly off the ground and keep it there while you lift your legs. I don’t put any pressure on my neck as long as I keep my hands on the ground.
I dont think I’ve had strain on my neck, however my neck does get sore when i first started out.
I started doing an 8 minute ab video every 24 hours and i felt like the exercises were killing my neck. However, the pain was not bad and i thought my neck muscles just needed to be worked more, so i kept with it. I stretched my neck thoroughly before each workout and now its very strong. I can go all day doing that video without even noticing my neck getting sore. I also do more intense workouts where my neck is constantly being held in one place; no pain what so ever. In my advice, I would stick with it and eventually you will just get a stronger neck. Also make sure to keep your hands at the back of your ears and not behind your head.
You could also search for neck exercises on the web. I know in boxing they do this a lot to help with the face blows.
Simply relax your whole body except your ab muscles when doing your ab exercise,no matter which kind of ab workout it is. This needs your full concentration, if you learn how to do this your dilema will be solved.