Always problems with abs

[Havre]

I used to squat a lot a couple of years ago. Even when I was at a level closing in on 200kg lifts I would not be able to walk after doing sessions at 100kg if I had a 6-8 weeks break. When I lifted regularly I would go as hard as I could on a Monday and would just feel tired on Tuesday - not restricted in any other way.

So consistency is key. Either through kiting or trying to do something in between so that you don't end up going completely blank when you are not kiting.

For me it isn't a problem that the abs are getting worked. Of course improving your technique is always a good thing, but I don't think anything is necessarily wrong.

[edt]

If I go kiting every week

Yeah I think we found the problem. If you go kiting every week? If? How often are you kiting? Once a month? That's not enough to stay in shape.

Ok now I'm going to give you the real deal. This exercise beats all other exercises. Go to a play ground or find a tree. Get a rope and cut up an old bar so you can use it to train.

Now do dry land board off exercises every day for about half an hour. Your abs will turn to steel.

[elguapo]

i'm also a believer in squats...
all i know is the the back problems i had from work magically disappeared once i started squatting regularly.


imo, squats are the single most efficient exercise for the whole body..and is doubly important (as we get older) to maintain bone/muscle density and give the body a reason to produce testosterone
(might be even more important for women)

squats are the only exercise i do regularly with heavy weights...and the only gym equipment i have at my home.
(squat rack)

((i also do pushups, pull-ups and crunches/situps..but dont need other equipment for that))

[edt]

I love squats too. Good advice

[jumptheshark]

I think there is definitely a technique to jumping and safeguarding your abs.

As mentioned previously, many organizations that require competent fitness are no longer doing core work the same way they were 20 years ago. In fact the abs aren't even really considered a prime mover of the core anymore, and understanding this might just help your issue. Consider, what is your core?.... analogy coming: Say you eat an apple, what's left... the core... the actual hard parts of the structure. You think that when a lion eats a human they leave the ab wall for the hyenas? No man, your abs are the soft juicy bits. Your fucking spine and pelvis are the core! Prime movers of the lumbar spine and pelvis are the core muscles, and learning to move you body by properly recruiting them is key to minimizing articular wear..... The lower lumbar segments and the hip joints are primary sites of arthritis in your true core. Most of that wear is the result of poor muscle recruitment and motor patterns. Your low back muscles, your glutes, hip flexors and your thighs are your true core muscles. The ab wall is a key supporting player, but its supporting and should not be where you think of contracting to facilitate movement during any big move, be it a heavy lift or a kiteboarding boost.

Your abs are meant to primarily brace and support, not be prime movers. When you boost, don't pull your lower half off the water, or you knees up by doing a crunch with your abs. Like in the pictures above, let your body extend as you jump and use your thighs, ass and lumbar muscles to then suck your knees up to a more tucked posture in the air. If you reef up with your knees, your gonna tear your abs. If you let your body reach full extension and THEN suck up your lower half with the more natural recoil of your body by recruiting the prime movers of your core you wont over strain the abs. In the pics above, see how his knees bend and his hamstrings and glutes are already getting his board moving upward.

I rode a heavy wooden twin tip with boots for years. Still have my favorite one and its a beast. Learning to NOT use the abs to get you into your tuck after you jump will save a lot of pain and likely also result in you jumping higher as relying on your abs generally cuts the extension phase of take off a bit short.

And like elguapo, do squats. Actually before you get into squats get a kettle bell and learn to hip hinge. Then do squats!

[FLandOBX]

......Maybee it really is the board or my technic.....

No, it's not your board or your technique. You are out of shape. Do the work. There are no short cuts. Just do it.

[Herman]

Loved the video edt. I am guessing you get a few weird looks too. Just before COVID struck I started collecting climbing gear to do some rope work in trees and maybe some simulator stuff. I think climbing is naturally good strength work as are your simulator exercises. You just don’t see many youngsters messing about with trees and rope where it was common place when I was a lad. For me it’s not midlife it’s late life crisis. I am off to the woods now.

[edt]

Everyone has problems the first few weeks after a layoff if you look at the professional kiteboarders when they go to their first competition none of them can hit their tricks they just don't have the proper strength for me I have no problem with my core strength but my grip is just terrible at the start of a season and it probably takes me you know a month before my forearms don't get tired

[edt]

When it's raining and 40° f and the wind is Gusty and it's overcast I still go out and get a session why? The reason is because when that bluebird perfect awesome day comes I want to be able to have enough strength to kite all day you've got to hit those s***** sessions to keep your strength up

[RadDrDuke]

I would also highly recommend adding stretching to your daily routine.

For the past 12 years I've been doing a single Vinyasa Yoga routine that I have memorized every single morning (takes literally 2 minutes).
Stretches the shoulders, neck, wrists, fingers, legs, lower back.

I feel physically great all the time from it and I do fun sports 365 days a year here in central Florida (kite/surf/foilsurf/SUP) with no/limited injuries (knock on wood).