Crunchless Abs Review
Does CrunchLess Abs Really Work?
What is it?Crunchless Abs was developed by fitness expert and registered nurse Linda LaRue to tone your entire core: the upper, lower, side obliques, and even all the way to your lower back, without doing a single crunch.
The program consists three 10-minute workouts all in one DVD and do not include one crunch. Each of the three sessions gives you a quick and effective full core workout without having to do any traditional crunches that often strain the neck and back.
What you get
With your initial order of Crunchless Abs, you receive one DVD that contains three separate 10 minute core workouts and the Crunchless Abs Program Guide that includes Linda LaRue’s SOUPer Slim Meal Plan. Following your initial order you will receive one new DVD a month so that you can continue to mix up your routine to challenge and tone you abdominals.
Starting the program
I definitely recommend reading the program guide or watching the full DVD Intro before beginning the exercises. They contain important information on form and alignment that are necessary to master in order to get the best results you’re your workouts.
For example: to get the most from the exercises Linda instructs that you must be continuously kegeling throughout each ten minute workout! Something most people can’t do right away but it’s a goal to work towards. Apparently it is critical for targeting the lower abs.
The workouts
I was surprised to find out that Linda LaRue is not actually the instructor in the workouts. It is led by another fitness instructor and two other ladies who perform the modified and more advanced versions of each position.
Some of the exercises are pretty easy to do but just as many are quite difficult. And, it is true that there are no crunches in the workouts. However, some moves come just about as close as they can without being called a “crunch”. I liked that many moves were influenced by yoga positions.
Especially in the second workout where many of the exercises require using the force of your entire body to target the abdominals, so it’s not just an ab-only workout. For example you do some push ups and planks which hit just about every muscle in the body and can be quite challenging to do.
Also, be aware, you will need more space than I had initially anticipated – enough to completely stretch out your arms and legs at the same time whether you are lying down or standing up.
Overall
This is a very effective workout to strengthen, tighten and tone your entire core (note: I really felt it more in my upper abs than the lower ones). The workouts are great because there are many different moves so it’s not just the same boring old crunches repeated hundreds of times.
Because it is yoga inspired, the instructor and the music are very calm, so don’t expect a super exciting or lively workout. If you are looking to change up your ab routine this is a great way to mix it up. It is also for beginners looking to start a new fitness routine, or if you have problems with or just don’t like doing traditional crunches.
But don’t underestimate the Crunchless Abs; just because it is “crunchless” does not make it any less challenging!
- Review by Kathleen, TVTopTen
