Dr. Squat - Dr. Fred Hatfield

Sometimes the old way is the best way. But sometimes it’s not. Sport scientists agreed way back in the 50’s that “sit-ups” were bad for your back, and that “crunches” performed with bent knees were better. Many different abdominal exercise devices have been marketed over the past fifteen years, all of which simulated the “crunch” technique.
But that was then. “Better” replaced “good.” The patented design of all three of SportStrength's Pro-Ab Benches offers the ultimate abdominal exercise technique. There will never be a better way until the human body is redesigned. In conventional crunches, you are able apply resistance to your abdominal muscles for only 50 percent of your potential range of motion. And crunches performed in the ill-conceived ab machines currently on the market usually require naught but static contraction from your abs while your hip flexors move the resistance.
Compare that to the 100 percent greater range of motion afforded by SportStrength patented designs. For each crunch you perform, you do twice the work. That means twice the effect. Putting it another way, twice the work means the same effect in HALF THE TIME! Partial movements have their place in sports training. However, it's safe to say that full range movements are generally more productive in improving strength and muscle mass. This is true for the abdominals as with any other muscle. Yet, incredibly, full range ab work has been virtually overlooked by training experts over the years. That’s why Dr. Hatfield patented the concept of prestretching the abs before exercising them.
But there are some other good reasons why the patented curved back design is so effective in ab development. One is the therapeutic effect it has on your lower back. The curvature of the bench is precisely matched to the range of movement Mother Nature intended for your spine. This ensures non-traumatic movement from a gentle hyperextended position to a fully flexed position -- which further ensures the greatest possible range of motion with no intervertebral trauma.
For athletes with "bad backs" it has become axiomatic that ab work is the best therapy for their condition. And, for those whose backs are virgin to troublesome herniations, subluxations and ruptures, it is as much the case for prevention.
A few points to remember:
* It's a myth that you can "isolate" the upper from the lower abs -- electromyographic studies show that the minute you apply resistance, both your upper and lower abdominals kick into action together;
* Other ab machines on the market are difficult to get into and out of, are principally hip flexors (the abs are forced to statically contract while the iliopsoas concentrically contracts to bring your torso forward or your knees toward your chest), and -- if at all -- involve only a half range movement capability;
* It's a myth that you should do hundreds of reps of crunches -- your abs, like all other muscles in your body, respond best to PROGRESSIVE RESISTANCE training;
* Full range crunches are twice as productive than half range crunches;