Stop doing crunches!

[FitChick]

I hate doing crunches and haven't done them for years now. I do planks and side planks. Sometimes those scissor or bicycle moves.

 

What are the leg extensions referred to in this article below? Are they like what I call scissor or bicycle -- lie on back, bring one knee toward chest, while extending other leg out straight and at a slight upward angle, then alternate legs.

 

Interesting article.

[Emilia]

I'm a big advocate of strong abs for women. I think there are too many who starve themselves to a flat stomach and lose a lot of flesh on and around the ribcage as a result. Instead of building up strong muscles and combine it with appropriate diet.

 

Don't know enough about it to dismiss his study but all these various exercises have been very good for me, even with additional weights. Very important to counter-balance back work, especially lower back. My physique is very different from that of the lady in the photo so I gather what is intensive enough for her would not be intensive enough for everyone.

[EasyHeart]

I don't think there is anything wrong with situps and crunches, so long as you treat them like every other exercise. The problem is with these idiots who do 200 crunches a day and think it's a good thing. Would you do 200 bench presses or squats?

[thefooloftheyear]

I don't think there is anything wrong with situps and crunches, so long as you treat them like every other exercise. The problem is with these idiots who do 200 crunches a day and think it's a good thing. Would you do 200 bench presses or squats?

 

 

Maybe you should tell that to Herschel Walker amd see what he thinks about it..

 

The reality is if you look hard enough you'll find a a study that says its a bad idea to breathe. All I can say is that as an experiecned gym guy, none of the newfangled techniques have proven to be better than basic movements that have been around since before electricity...Im not saying to dismiss any new info that comes to light, but I quarrel with anyone who thinks there is a better mousetrap, when in reality there really isnt..

 

.02

 

TFY

[FitChick]

From the article:

 

Ian Crosby of the Calgary Fire Department saw the shift first-hand. He’s on a committee of the International Association of Fire Fighters that establishes criteria for the make-or-break fitness test... the IAFF dropped the sit-up in favour of the prone plank—basically a static push-up that will leave the unfit trembling with fatigue.

 

 

A study of U.S. soldiers published earlier this year in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise compared sit-ups with back-friendly core stabilization exercises... and found there was no difference in overall fitness between the two groups. In fact, those who did core exercises showed significant improvement in the army’s sit-up test.

 

 

Anthony Ierulli, manager of fitness programming for the YMCA in Brampton, Ont., says that while in the past all anyone “did were crunches, now they’re doing some Pilates and yoga that engage the abdomen in different ways.” But Ierulli emphasizes that changing routines isn’t enough if the technique isn’t there. And that requires finding a teacher who can fine-tune those unfamiliar exercises.

 

 

As always, form is key. I prefer to err on the side of avoiding injury while still getting good results. I learned that lesson the painful way! It sounds like the spinal damage is cumulative so you may feel okay now but not several years on.

 

Aesthetically I prefer a slim, toned and strong middle compared to the "barrel belly" that I see, where the abs are almost distended and the obliques are so built up that women look like rulers instead of hourglasses. There is one fitness instructor who puts out DVDs and I swear her waist is bigger than her hips. It's a matter of personal preference.

 

I belong to a fitness forum where a member related a story of going to a bar and being in a plank holding contest with a much bigger male gymrat who kind of scoffed at her fitness level since she was tiny compared to him. I think he collapsed at four minutes while she went on to win at seven minutes. So just because a muscle may be bigger doesn't necessarily mean it's stronger. Appearances can be deceiving.

Edited July 14, 2013 by FitChick

[EasyHeart]

Maybe you should tell that to Herschel Walker amd see what he thinks about it..

 

The reality is if you look hard enough you'll find a a study that says its a bad idea to breathe. All I can say is that as an experiecned gym guy, none of the newfangled techniques have proven to be better than basic movements that have been around since before electricity...Im not saying to dismiss any new info that comes to light, but I quarrel with anyone who thinks there is a better mousetrap, when in reality there really isnt..

 

.02

 

TFY

Unless you are 25 and a professional athlete, anything Herschel Walker does is irrelevant.

 

Especially if you're a Vikings fan, like I am.

[Emilia]

From the article:

 

Ian Crosby of the Calgary Fire Department saw the shift first-hand. He’s on a committee of the International Association of Fire Fighters that establishes criteria for the make-or-break fitness test... the IAFF dropped the sit-up in favour of the prone plank—basically a static push-up that will leave the unfit trembling with fatigue.

I think it's probably more for overall time saving purposes. Planks show whether someone can support their weight as well as indicate core strength.

A study of U.S. soldiers published earlier this year in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise compared sit-ups with back-friendly core stabilization exercises... and found there was no difference in overall fitness between the two groups. In fact, those who did core exercises showed significant improvement in the army’s sit-up test.

Very generic. I love 'studies' without specifics.

Aesthetically I prefer a slim, toned and strong middle compared to the "barrel belly" that I see, where the abs are almost distended and the obliques are so built up that women look like rulers instead of hourglasses. There is one fitness instructor who puts out DVDs and I swear her waist is bigger than her hips. It's a matter of personal preference.

I love it when people think it's a matter of some crunches to get abs too large. It's something that would take years and years for that person to develop. You don't have to like it but at the same time it should be recognised that most women have no hope in hell achieving it. Personally, I hate that skinny, hollow abs look when the ribcage is showing

I belong to a fitness forum where a member related a story of going to a bar and being in a plank holding contest with a much bigger male gymrat who kind of scoffed at her fitness level since she was tiny compared to him. I think he collapsed at four minutes while she went on to win at seven minutes. So just because a muscle may be bigger doesn't necessarily mean it's stronger. Appearances can be deceiving.

I bet the plank wasn't set up correctly if she could do 7 minutes of it. Most people in my gym perform it with their butt sticking up - which of course takes pressure off the core muscles. It's a bit like push-ups, you rarely see it performed correctly. I see people sticking at it for many minutes and if they kept good form they would collapse after 90 seconds. Having said that, of course it's silly to equate size with strength but it is usually a decent indicator.

[AlexDP]

I'm a big advocate of strong abs for women. I think there are too many who starve themselves to a flat stomach and lose a lot of flesh on and around the ribcage as a result. Instead of building up strong muscles and combine it with appropriate diet.

 

Don't know enough about it to dismiss his study but all these various exercises have been very good for me, even with additional weights. Very important to counter-balance back work, especially lower back. My physique is very different from that of the lady in the photo so I gather what is intensive enough for her would not be intensive enough for everyone.

 

 

I'm not the first one to point it out, but a big part of what is wrong with McGill's research is that there are in fact many professional athletes who have performed thousands of sit ups over the years. And despite what the research would indicate, they have pretty healthy backs and good looking abs.

[dichotomy]

Planks - and hanging leg raises!

[New User]

Some thoughts on crunches (and other stuff) courtesy of The Oatmeal:

 

The terrible and wonderful reasons why I run long distances - Part 4 - The Oatmeal

[FitChick]

Doing planks had a bonus effect of making pushups easier.

[RonaldS]

I haven't done a crunch or sit up since playing football in HS (20+ ago). There are a million other ways to have a tight, strong core without jacking your back out. Planks are great, that side plank in the pic....you can do zeniths out of that, light weights, whatever. Good exercise.

[ScreamingTrees]

I've read articles about how crunches and sit-ups are actually doing damage to your core or your stomach.. Just another reason not to bother with them.

[FitChick]

There is a thread on a fitness forum where hourglass shaped women like me say what has helped or hurt them in terms of keeping a flat, nipped in waist. General consensus is to stay away from crunches and weighted ab work. Recommendations for planks, pilates and Classical Stretch. It really does depend on your body and the look you are going for.

[Phoe]

planks and leg lifts for me!

 

crunches are just so stressful on my neck and spine that it gives me a headache. blegh

[turt]

I'm a big advocate of strong abs for women. I think there are too many who starve themselves to a flat stomach and lose a lot of flesh on and around the ribcage as a result. Instead of building up strong muscles and combine it with appropriate diet.

 

Don't know enough about it to dismiss his study but all these various exercises have been very good for me, even with additional weights. Very important to counter-balance back work, especially lower back. My physique is very different from that of the lady in the photo so I gather what is intensive enough for her would not be intensive enough for everyone.

 

In order for your body to make stronger muscles, you need to add more weight to your sit ups. You can do all the crunches and sit ups you want but it won't make your muscle any stronger or larger after a short amount of time. (just increase endurance)

 

Since many other exercises work the core, you don't even need to do any specific exercises for your abs. You'll see that there are bodybuilders that don't do any ab exercises...

[Emilia]

Since many other exercises work the core, you don't even need to do any specific exercises for your abs. You'll see that there are bodybuilders that don't do any ab exercises...

I don't care for bodybuilders the slightest, I have no respect for the sport. I do strength training for sports such as boxing, my training reflects that type of exercise. I don't care for those that just want to burn body fat over muscles.

In order for your body to make stronger muscles, you need to add more weight to your sit ups. You can do all the crunches and sit ups you want but it won't make your muscle any stronger or larger after a short amount of time. (just increase endurance)

Which is exactly what I said in the post you quoted?