In today’s PT Intel, personal trainer Scott Middleton shares a quick hack for getting the most out of your abdominal work. Scott holds his BS in Kinesiology from the University of Maryland, is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (by NSCA), and certified by NASM for personal training and as a corrective exercise specialist. He is also an AFTA certified nutritional advisor, and according to his website his favorite hobby is synchronized hammocking.

Crunches can sometimes lead to stiffness in the neck or lower back. To avoid “bad pain” and successfully concentrate your efforts on developing your abs try these few tips.

Vary the speed you train abs starting slowly and speeding up as the burn sets in. 

Place a hand behind your head and try to allow your head to comfortably rest while you use your abs to pull you up.

Exhale gently through your mouth as come up to crunch.

Lastly, dig the fingertips from your other hand into your abs and feel your abs contract as you do crunches and note that your abs should never lose tension; if you feel them slack it should be at the end of the set.

— Scott Middleton, CSCS, CPT, BS Kinesiology

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