Squats and Crunches

[killerbee]

I have two silly questions to ask regarding squats and crunches.

1) Could you please tell me whether doing ab crunches on one of those inflatable balls is more effective than just doing them lying flat on the floor?

2) When doing squats? (one foot behind, one forward and then bend) are you suppose to feel more "tension" on your front leg or rear leg?

I went to the gym yesterday for the first time in a while (you may remember my other recent posts). I did 45 minutes of Cardio (15 treadmill, 15 Ellipitic, 15 Bike) and then worked on my legs and abs for awhile. I did the crunches with the inflatable ball and felt the "burn" immediately. With regards to the squats, I seem to feel more "tension" on my back leg than the front one. I'm wondering if my form was incorrect.

Thank you :

[minime]

Hi Killerbee

When I am doing my crunches I do a mix - some on the floor, some on the ball. I really think that you can tell yourself which are 'better' just by how they feel. If an exercise is effective, you will be able to feel it. And, of course, form is important. IF you are using the ball, and after fifteen crunches you are feeling nothing - then IMO it is not being done right.

For me, the hardest (and best) ab exercises are those done on a decline bench press (where you can tuck your legs in).

As for the lunges - i think the most important thing is that on the leg you extend, the knee does not go beyond the foot. And i feel it more on the leg NOT being extended.