Sit-up/Crunches and neck strain/stress??

[glasshammer]

I once saw a post on Crunches and Sit Ups and the guy mentioned that, When he does crunches,

He gets a burning sensation in his neck and wanted to know more about other exercises for his

neck.

 

The moderator told him that if his neck was feeling stress or any burning sensations during

sit-ups/crunches, then he was using bad bad form.

 

 

BUTTTT.....Isn't it true that if you are doing sit ups/crunches.... your arms behind your head, aren't supposed to

support you head weight fully? I mean, you're holding your head up so obviously, its going to get tired and will

start burning, right? or am i mistaken???

[cdn]

When you do a crunch, all the work should be done with your abdominals. When you put your hands behind your head, the idea is that you are providing any additional support your head/neck will need as a result of being horizontal (after all, you hold your head up all day every day without any achiness). What happens is that people unconsciously start exerting pressure with their arms and/or neck, which creates the tension you read about.

 

Reverse crunches, a roman chair or an ab bench will all allow you to do a crunch without stressing your neck area.

[steveb]

I do two things to prevent neck aches.

 

I keep my hands on my stomache.

I look at the ceiling the whole time so my chin doesn't go toward my chest.