Strength Training… But Looking At Core Options
Thanks to a friend at work, my wife and I have both started the workout plan to one hundred push-ups in six weeks and two hundred sit-up (crunches) in six weeks. As a cyclist, my upper body is not exactly developed… maybe it’s even concave. OK, it’s not that bad but let’s just say I don’t have a lot of power. The push-ups aren’t easy but I’m actually doing alright. It helps that I’m skinnny because there’s less weight to push up. The crunches aren’t bad because my core is already in pretty good shape. But it never hurts to improve… especially for cycling (specifically climbing).
But then I just read this rather “concerning” Newsweek article: “Stop Doing Sit-Ups: Why Crunches Don’t Work” My wife and I certainly don’t want to damage our spines so I went searching for something better. I googled “core strengthening without crunches” and I found this 10 minute video using Pilates related moves:
It looks pretty good and I’ve already emailed it to my wife to put on our workout plan. I’ll let you all know how it goes. If you have any suggestions… I would love to hear them.
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Thanks for the video. I’ve been doing crunches everyday for years, as I have a fear of belly fat. No joke! I’ll try the link instead and start the 6 weeks to 100 pushups. Don’t forget to continue with the yoga, you got me started so you better not back out now. 
TAMMY– Thanks so much for reading and thanks so much for the info on the MM ride! I will do my best to get the word out. I always love to get extra miles in especially if it’s for a great cause like this. But I’m not sure if I’ll be able to make it this year. Again, I will try to spread the word even more for you. Best, DJ
IAN– Hope the video helps… I think it has some really good options for core strengthening that won’t stress out backs. The push-ups are tough… and yes Yoga is still on the schedule but I do need to make sure I get in more time for it.
I did the push up challenge last year. Great program, even though I never managed the 100 CONSECUTIVE push ups. I got to 50-30-20. Good luck to you both.
At this time of year my coach has me only doing upper body workouts, so there is a whole lot of core work. I do chinups, pushups, various things with the Swiss ball and the dreaded plank, both regular and side versions. There are some crunches but nothing to difficult. The trick seems to be to stay as consistent as possible.
I still plan to reach 100 pushups by the end of the year. Doing it in six weeks is pretty ambitious but go for it!
If you are looking for core work may I suggest P90X? I just finished it and I feel very strong through the core, and it’s helped my cycling.
Hi,
I’m also a cyclist and started doing the pushup & situp challenge; On the situps I’m almost done, but I’ve been stuck on the pushups for 3 weeks. Can’t seem to get past week 4. Any tips?
I bike to work, about 10 miles a day. I recently ran across 100pushups and started the program last week. We’ll see how it goes. So far so good. The program has an iphone app (who doesn’t?) that keeps you honest.
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Hey Donald,
I’m a big fan of the Daily Draft and also a huge bike enthusiast myself – keep up the blogging and the riding! Donald, I wanted to let you know that on July 11th, the second annual Multiple Myeloma Bike Ride will be held in Durham, NC. The ride leaves from Duke and gives participants an option of choosing a 50k or 100k scenic route through Durham and Orange Counties. In its first year, the ride attracted about 200 participants and countless volunteers. It was an incredible success, and this year we expect it to be even bigger.
Each year, about 60,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with multiple myeloma (MM), a cancer that leads to the buildup of abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow. About 12,000 people lose their battle to MM annually. As an organizer and participant, the MM ride has special meaning to me, as I lost my mother, Darlene Burkett, to the disease in September of 2007. Since you are such an avid rider, I was hoping it wouldn’t be too much to ask you to make a plug or two for the ride on your blog, as well as on the news. It would go a long way in our efforts to gain more participants, more volunteers and most importantly, to raise more money for MM research. We’d love to see you there as well!
For more information on the ride, please check out our website at http://www.dukemultiplemyelomabikeride.com/ . Feel free to email me if you want more information, and please help us spread the word!
Sincerely,
Tammy Burkett