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Burn with Kearns: Abs After Summer: What it’s Time to Rethink Core Traning – Kevin Kearns
As summer fades, many people pack away the sunscreen and beach chairs — and with them, the motivation that drove the “summer ab challenge.†Countless crunches, sit-ups, and quick-fix programs get abandoned, leaving not just disappointment but sometimes nagging back pain, hip tightness, and the feeling that all that effort didn’t translate into long-term results.
Here’s the truth: chasing six-pack abs with outdated methods can do more harm than good, especially if you’re over 40. If you want abs that last after summer — the kind that protect your back, support your posture, and keep you strong for life — it’s time to train smarter.
Why Old-School Abs Don’t Work Anymore
Sit-ups and crunches were the go-to ab move for decades. But research shows they place excess stress on the lumbar spine and don’t train your body the way it actually moves. As we age, flexibility decreases and tendons and ligaments stiffen — making these repetitive flexion-based moves not just less effective but more dangerous.
Your “core†isn’t just your six-pack. It includes your obliques, spinal stabilizers, glutes, lats, and even muscles in your hips and shoulders. If you only train part of the system, you leave the rest weak — and weakness invites injury.
Smarter Core Training for All Seasons
Instead of hammering crunches, try functional, full-range exercises that build strength and resilience:
- Medicine Ball Rotational Throws – Build rotational power safely.
- Farmer’s Carries (weighted walks) – Train your core to stabilize under load.
- Single-Leg Deadlifts – Improve balance, posterior chain strength, and hip stability.
- Planks with Reach or Pulls – Strengthen anti-rotation muscles.
- Bird Dogs – Reinforce posture and low-back stability.
- https://youtu.be/B9p2J3bseeE?si=VmRIQqTjSEYxcomI
- https://youtube.com/shorts/pbz0LKfYXzU?si=p7sJSo7xrQDKrQd0
- https://youtu.be/MsW6XCDYZMw?si=_4ofNAxC96U3GYvx
These moves not only sculpt a leaner midsection, they build a core that supports your entire body in real life — from carrying groceries to hiking trails to playing with your kids or grandkids.
Abs, Safety, and Mental Health
September is Realtor Safety Month and also Mental Health Awareness Month — two reminders that health and fitness are about more than appearance.
At Burn with Kearns, we bring the same functional training principles into our Self-Defense 4 U workshops. Just like building a stronger core gives you confidence in movement, self-defense training builds confidence in your safety and peace of mind. For Realtors, who often meet clients alone, these skills are vital. For anyone, the connection between feeling strong, safe, and mentally resilient can’t be overstated.
The Seasonal Reset
Fall is the season of reset. Instead of abandoning your routine after summer, use this time to build strength that will carry you through the rest of the year. “Abs after summer†isn’t about vanity — it’s about durability, energy, and resilience in every aspect of life.
And – check out the NEW Podcast! Just click on the image, below:
Stay strong, stay safe,
Coach Kevin Kearns
Burn with Kearns – Strength & Conditioning | Self-Defense 4 U
Suggested Hashtags for RI News Today
#BurnWithKearns #AbsAfterSummer #CoreStrength #LongevityTraining #RealtorSafetyMonth #MentalHealthAwareness #SelfDefense #FunctionalFitness #TrainLikeAFighter
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Read ALL articles by Kevin Kearns here: BURN WITH KEARNS
Coach Kevin Kearns is the founder of Burn with Kearns, a global training system with over 2,400 certified coaches. He has worked with UFC fighters, professional athletes, and everyday people for more than 30 years. At 59, he continues to teach and inspire people to live stronger, longer, and healthier lives.
Follow Coach Kearns: BurnWithKearns.com