Whats everyone’s view on standing ab work, and using chains on accessory work IE chains on good mornings, stiff legged dead lifts, and tri work?
Brian Carroll deleted answer July 28, 2017
Thanks for the question. Do you have a back history? Then sit-ups could your end.
If not: A sit-up or a rope crunch or the like will not -LIKELY- hurt or break your back in the short term, doing them occasionally.
But we know that it can lead to disc bulges and worse. We also know that they simply are not efficient and could hurt you over time – that’s enough for me…. Â And for someone else they could be the thing that is the last straw for their back and it goes.
Here’s another thing – most versions of crunches or sit-ups ie standing crunch work your discs more than your actual intent: your ‘abs’. To me, it’s pretty simple. Unless your specific demands you to be in flexion (which powerlifting doesn’t) I don’t think you can even justify much of any flexion period.
Like Paul said – carries, stir the pot, holds, drags and such not only are better on your body, they carry-over to your performance much better.
As far as chains sure – they can have their place, what place do they have in your training? In other words: why? This is what you have to answer.
Just like many cases, the answer is – it depends. Â Lets go one, by one.
Standing abs work – personally, I do not perform any trunk flexion in my midsection training. Â The risk:reward ratio simply isn’t there for me. Â That doesn’t mean that we do not do standing ab work. Â Weighted carries, weighted unilateral holds, pallof presses, overhead holds, landmine work are all fantastic tools to train the midsection as well as reinforce ground contact in a standing position.
Chains – great tools to train the top end range of motion and to reinforce acceleration and improve rate of force development. Â The have their place, but it would depend on the needs of the individual. Â Personally, I like using chains on bench, but don’t get much out of it on the squat and deadlift. Â Chains on triceps are also a favourite of mine, because they help reduce the strain on my elbow joint.
