Why Every Babylon CrossFit Athlete Should Be Using an AbMat

As coaches at Babylon CrossFit, we’re always looking for simple tools that help our athletes move better and get more out of their training. One of the most underrated pieces of equipment in the gym is the AbMat — and it’s not just for sit-ups!

The AbMat is designed to support the natural curve of your spine, allowing for a full range of motion during core exercises like sit-ups. This means your abs work harder through every rep, leading to better strength and stability over time. Plus, it helps protect your lower back by keeping your spine in a safe, neutral position. The AbMat allows the abdominals to work dynamically — to create movement — throughout a larger range of motion compared to completing sit-ups without the AbMat. Where the primary role of the abdominals in functional movements is largely isometric (no movement) to provide stability around the trunk, athletes can gain some introductory strength and capacity by developing the abdominals dynamically. The dynamic use of the abdominals through a large range of motion is due to the AbMat filling the gap between the lower back and the floor. When the athlete performs a sit-up with the AbMat, their back has something to push into for a more extended range of motion than a sit-up executed without it. When the lower back has something to push into, the abdominals will aid in creating the movement. When your back loses contact with the ground, the abdominals will stop working dynamically and work isometrically, as the hip flexors work dynamically to elevate the trunk.

But the benefits don’t stop there. We also use the AbMat for:

• 🔥 Core activation before big lifts
• 🧘‍♂️ Support during stretching or mobility work
• 💪 Extra padding under knees or elbows during floor exercises

Using an AbMat helps you train smarter and safer, keeping your movements efficient and your body protected — especially during high-rep or high-intensity workouts.

^{Do We Need to Use the Abmat?}

Using an AbMat for sit-ups is optional, but recommended. The AbMat offers several advantages: It promotes more effective abdominal engagement during the exercise and may reduce lower back pain by decreasing the demand on hip flexors that would otherwise pull on the spine during the movement.

At Babylon CrossFit, we believe the small details make a big difference. So next time you hit the floor for ab work, grab an AbMat — your core (and your back) will thank you!

Buy your own abmat by copying and pasting this link!:

https://amzn.to/3JVSnLa