« Deadlines | Main | 39:44/149 »
June 21, 2005
Abdominaux : arrêter le massacre
Shortly after I got the crunch trainer contraption, Karine lent me her book Abdominaux : arrêter le massacre. Dr. Bernadette de Gasquet says you're not going to exercise your way to a flat stomach by contracting your abdominals and squeezing them into lumps. The result of standard sit ups is unfortunate pressure that pushes the abdominal organs down and may push out the belly you're trying to flatten.
Instead, she offers this book of theory and exercises that rely on balancing the stomach muscles against those of the back, working with stretching, static tension, even breathing. But it's not because you're not moving that the exercises aren't tough. Halfway through chapter 5, "Des exercices pour aller plus loin," I was left behind. I just don't have the strength and flexibility yet to do the most effective exercises.
I have been working to keep my back straight while running and riding. Dr. Gasquet explains how good posture improves your capacity to breathe more deeply in addition to strengthening the muscles that make it easier to keep good posture. My hope is that it'll eventually pay off in terms of form. Form is the basis for being able to go longer and faster.
Posted by Mark at June 21, 2005 06:35 AM