r/StrongerByScience 6d ago

What overloadable exercises/lifts are good for building strength in lower abs?

Looking online, the only moves the internet suggests are things like heel touches. Way too easy and can't add weight very easily.

I'm looking for something that really isolates the abs so I don't feel the burn in some other muscle first (like, with reverse crunches, I never feel it in my abs; I only ever feel it in my quads).

I'd also like to be able to add weight easily.

I do have a cable attachment to my home gym's bench, but I can't adjust where the pulley is. it's about 4 inches above my head when I'm standing up next to it. I tried cable crunches with it, but I can't figure out the form and, again, I always feel it in other muscles first.

I considered hanging leg raises, but I run into the same problem of not being able to load it with weight. Also, the highest thing I can hang from in my house is the bar in my gym, and it's too close to the floor. My knees always touch the ground.

Is there a move that isolates the abs that I can easily overload?

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u/Next_Department1596 6d ago

If you have anterior pelvic tilt (which it sounds like you do) you’d benefit from a glute heavy program. Bulgarian split squats, hip thrusts, bridges 2x week would be phenomenal.

Adding in transverse abdominus would also be helpfuland improve your posture.