Expert: Kim Farmer - 11/12/2010

Question
Kim
I have been researching exercises to recover my belly from several pregnancies, and bicycle crunches are considered most effective.
Just for fun I got down on the floor on my back behind my stationary bike and started pedaling. I felt it in my belly right away!
I can do this for a long time, and get a cardio workout unlike the actual bicycle crunches. Its kind of like a recumbant bike but I feel it in my belly more.
I would just like your opinion on this please, is this effective or just my imagination?
And if it is working-I think it is, have I invented something! :-0
Thanks!


Answer
Hi Sue, I apologize for answering you so late, I must have missed the email notification.  Anyway, I have never tried the form of exercise that you are talking about, but based on the bio mechanics of the movement, I would think that it may seem harder since it is also a cardio workout especially if you have added any resistance.  You are using the same muscles to perform the move, only with added resistance from the bike.  The bottom line is that if you are feeling the effects of it more than the normal bicycle crunches, keep doing them, but its important to adjust the pedals to ensure that your knees don't 'lock out' on you during the knee extension portion of the exercise.

Thanks for the question!


Kim Farmer
ACE Certified Personal Trainer
ACE Certified Clinical Exercise Specialist
www.milehighfitness.com
www.milehighfitness.com/fitnessmatters