Maybe I can actually do more crunches if I actually do them properly and hit the 250 target. I like the idea of keeping the arms over the chest to keep from pulling on the neck. I’ve been holding my hands loosely behind my head to avoid pulling, but having them out of the way would make it much easier to concentrate on the abs themselves rather than the hands, arms, neck and abs.

Thanks MizFit! Thanks Seth!

Yes,means the area needs more work. But I’m sticking to my planks, bridges, and cobras to work those muscles.

for me when I EXHALE and curl upward and PAUSE I feel it through my entire ab region.

in the same but different (and perhaps TMI note) I read an article once written about one of the WAYANS brothers (cant recall which one as this was ages ago) where he was asked how he got and maintained his AMAZING sixpack.

Beyond the fact he gave a shout out to clean eating and cardio he said that (and I paraphrase. please to not sue me oh Wayans brother):

Every time he goes to the bathroom (see? I told you it was TMI) after he washes his hands he stops and exhales as DEEPLY as he can and focuses on contracting his abs and squeezing those muscles.

After reading that I began doing it and it REALLY helped me with the mind/muscle connecting in that part of my body.

Im not sure the isometric ab contraction CREATED his six pack but I know it has helped me to focus on making my abdominal wall WORK when I do crunches.