No Sit Ups or Twist Ab Exercises

The ARX Torso Flexion is one of the best ways to isolate a person’s ab muscles. Plus, it is on ARX, and all the data is saved for future comparison of strength gain.

If a client doesn’t want to use ARX for abs but still wants an ab exercise, we will use Dr. Ben’s ab exercise ONLY.

Per Dr. Ben’s book, “15 Minutes to Fitness,” page 150:

“…if your back is not pressed against the floor, you are NOT working your abs… will be working your hip flexors, which might feel like ab work, but it is not…” He also says traditional sit-ups are dangerous to the lower back.

His routine has two parts. First, the ab crunch until the person’s abs are strong enough to progress to the leg lowering and raising. The person stays in the crunched position to keep the lower back on the bench, then progresses to lowering the legs as much as they can and returning to the top to drop again, all while keeping the upper body crunched.

This section should be read and practiced on yourself for full understanding. Just reading it is not enough. You must feel it to understand it. Each employee who trains clients will read and demonstrate these exercises to Leo, or his designated representative.

So, we do NOT do traditional sit-ups at our gym, we do ARX Torso Flexion or Dr. Ben’s ab exercise ONLY. movement of the core because that only works a very small portion of the persona abs, and the net benefit is minimal.

Dr. Ben has a double PhD in our field and gives speeches to fitness groups all over the country. He knows what he is talking about. Dr. Ben’s ab workout is twofold: first is ab strengthening, then a leg raise/drop type of exercise. One does the crunches first and when the client is strong enough, they can move to the leg-drop, leg raise version.

NO normal leg raises are used at our gym, only Dr. Ben’s. These are done with the torso flexed per the book.

Also, we no longer do any twisting-type core exercises on the Power Tower or with free weights, elastic bands, fitness balls etc. because that only works a tiny portion of the persona abs, and the net benefit is minimal When the abs are properly taken to failure, IN ONE SET, either on ARX or with Dr. Ben’s exercise, no further ab work is needed. We do not waste the client’s time. If they want to waste time, they can go to a regular gym after they get their HIRT 25-minute workout here. We do ARX or Dr. Ben only. And not both – deliver one or the other.

If a person does ARX Torso Flexion, two minutes to failure, OR two minutes of Dr. Ben’s ab exercise, their abs are done.

It is our job to deliver the most beneficial exercises in the least amount of time so that our clients get their money’s worth and to fulfil the promises we make in our marketing ads.