Everyday Systems

I just completed my fifth week of Shovelglove and I am definately feeling stronger in my back, shoulders and arms. The one thing that's bugging me is that I don't feel as if I'm getting much of an ab workout from the "shovel" move. I've paid attention to your video and I believe I am doing it in proper form, but I don't feel as if it's benefitting me like it should. I hate doing crunches and sit-ups, so what can I do to get a good ab workout while standing upright "with the dignity of a human being"?

This is a very common concern.

But I don't think it's a real issue.

It's true you won't feel the "burn" as much in your abs as in your arms, back, etc, but that doesn't mean that they're not being worked well and hard.

These are the kinds of movements our ancestors abs were ACTUALLY used for, after all. In the real world work shovelglove mimics abs weren't (and aren't) used in isolation, or even as primary muscles. They're important support muscles used in conjunction with many others. And they'll get strong -- usefully strong -- if you use them that way. Plus it's fun.

They're all I do (plus some sporadic pushups and chin/pullups, NEVER situps or crunches, which I loath), and I'm happy with my abs. They're not exactly bulging, but discernible.

http://www.nosdiet.com/beforeafter.html

It takes time, a long time before you're going to "see" results. But that's true of any exercise routine. And shovelglove is fun enough that the likelihood of you're making it to that point is much greater than with most other workouts.

Reinhard