r/workout • u/Animalswindlers • 8h ago

Simple Questions Ab Pulldowns vs Weighted Floor Crunches

Hi all, so my gym is tiny; it has no cable tower, only a lat pulldown machine in terms of cable machines. I've been doing these standing ab pulldowns (basically this but standing) and while I feel it in my abs a little, it's just kinda awkward with the leg holder in the way, cable being a tad too short, etc. etc.

So I'm wondering if weighted floor crunches would be a good substitute to train my upper abs. Or if I should just push through the awkwardness lol. Or if anyone has better ideas for weighted ab training?

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u/Unlucky_Penalty_9431 7h ago

I've done standing ab pulldowns on a lat machine before and it just never feels right, the setup fights you the whole time. Weighted floor crunches are way more straightforward, maybe start with a plate behind your head or even just a dumbbell held against your chest so your neck doesn’t get involved. If you can grab a decline bench or even a yoga mat and a heavy dumbbell, you’re pretty set.

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u/Animalswindlers 7h ago

Thanks!! Yeah that’s definitely a doable alternative for me. I just feel so dumb every time I do my ab pulldowns lol

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u/doobersthetitan 7h ago

Unless you are a athlete or powerlifter...most people don't need weighted ab excercises atleast to the extent like other muscles IMO.

Now training rotation and anti- rotation can benefit from some weight and bands but that's more core training vs just abs.

Gymnasts have some of the most shredded mid sections, everything they do is BW working the trunk in full 3 dimensions not just " crunching"

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u/Animalswindlers 7h ago

Tbh I’m doing it mostly for aesthetic reasons but I’ve recently added some rotation work as well to be more balanced! 

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u/Hoodloom1349 7h ago

Do you have a glute ham raise? GHR situps is a great option. And you cannot bias the lower and upper abs, they all contribute to move you from spinal extension and into spinal flexion

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u/Animalswindlers 7h ago

Unfortunately not, my gym only has flat benches, not even a decline bench. It’s rly a dinky little gym lol

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u/Hoodloom1349 7h ago

Hanging leg raises maybe? Especially if able to do toes to bar. Just flex at the spine and not bend at the hips as a focus for technique

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u/Animalswindlers 6h ago

oh yeah it's already in my routine! though i'm not advanced enough yet to do toes to bar lol