More effective...Sit ups or Crunches?

sunshineshica

Ok so I do crunches because they are easier to do than situps. I feel my crunches the day after but when I do situps I don't feel like I did anything. Advice please!!

neela31

Do planks!!!

kymmixxx

Do planks!!!

i choose planks too.. ouch

welloiledmachine

Crunches are definitely more effective. You don't have to do a bazillion of them. If you are working to build some ab muscle, it's best to work them a couple times a week for about 10-15 minutes including your obliques. You need to do more than just crunches is what I'm saying.
Hope that helps.

sevencallmemom

On 30DS, I think Jillian says that bicycle crunches are the most effective.

DawnOf1969

Traditional sit-ups emphasize sitting up rather than merely pulling your sternum down to meet your pelvis. The psoas muscles run from the lower back to the front of the thighs. This muscle action is to pull the thighs closer to the torso.

This action is the major component of sitting up. Because of this, when you are doing sit ups your psoas muscles are the primary muscles being engaged and not your abdominal exercises.

So, sit-ups are a pretty useless exercise if you want to get your abs in shape. Instead, use crunches, because they directly work your abs.

erickirb

Ok so I do crunches because they are easier to do than situps. I feel my crunches the day after but when I do situps I don't feel like I did anything. Advice please!!

Neither are very effective. Try this instead: http://www.thepostgame.com/node/1545

catwrangler

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVBddP5oW8Y

meggonkgonk

Do planks!!!

And once you get the hang of planks move to pushups- moving and balancing makes it that much more challenging!

lmaharj

Sit ups works more than just your abs; it works your back and sides as well ... That might be why you don't feel anything if you're use to the workout. hold weights to your chest if that's the case.

I prefer push ups honestly. Planks are great but push ups strengthen your core AND arms at the same time. I believe it to be more efficient than sit ups, crunches and planks combined!

catwrangler

Neither are very effective. Try this instead: http://www.thepostgame.com/node/1545

omg this is killer and so hard for me! I will master it someday!

godroxmysox

Do planks!!!

And once you get the hang of planks move to pushups- moving and balancing makes it that much more challenging!

Yeah! Planks!

hnsaunde

Try this pilates set, its similar to one that I do, works all of your abs, not just ones worked in crunches.

http://pilates.about.com/od/pilatesmat/ss/FlatAbSeries.htm

c2sky

Actually, you will learn more about your abs from a GOOD Piltates instructor than ANYTHING else you could do. I just finished a "boot camp". I ACE the sit up test and kick everyone's butt, every time!

c2sky

Oh, and once you learn Pilates, add a kettlebell or a BOSU to it.

JennLifts

Isometric Vs Isotonic. If you want Ab hypertrophy, stability exercises won't get you there in my opinion. Weighted crunches or sit ups are great, but just like any other muscle, you strive to increase the weight. Make sure you're getting spinal flexion during your movement as well. Pure hip flexion isn't what your'e looking for. It then becomes just a hip flexor exercise.

End6ame

Weighted 2-point planks and hanging leg raises (legs straight and bring feet above you head). Do these to exercises correctly and you will never have to ask about ab exercises again.

aj_rock

Planking is enough for good core control. Other than that, you don't actually want HUGE abs... six-packs are more about BF%, not big abs.

sunshineshica

Crunches are definitely more effective. You don't have to do a bazillion of them. If you are working to build some ab muscle, it's best to work them a couple times a week for about 10-15 minutes including your obliques. You need to do more than just crunches is what I'm saying.
Hope that helps.

Good tip. Here I am thinking I'm supposed to do crunches as often as possible. Of course I fit n some cardio too but if I hit the gym 5 times a week I'm doing crunches too each day and probably some at home too. thanks though!

koosdel

Ok so I do crunches because they are easier to do than situps. I feel my crunches the day after but when I do situps I don't feel like I did anything. Advice please!!

Neither are very effective. Try this instead: http://www.thepostgame.com/node/1545

http://www.wannabebig.com/training/situps-are-dead/

ninerbuff

Depends on the purpose you're going for. Crunches target abs, sit ups involve your hip flexors more with little ab involvement.

c2sky

Ok so I do crunches because they are easier to do than situps. I feel my crunches the day after but when I do situps I don't feel like I did anything. Advice please!!

Neither are very effective. Try this instead: http://www.thepostgame.com/node/1545

That's a good one, but pretty advanced. And yep, we do that in my more advanced Pilates classes. Without being able to go into all the particulars, I'm serious about trying to find a really good Pilates instructor, meaning someone with serious anatomy and kinesiology knowledge. That person can teach you how to effectively recruit those inside abdominal muscles, so that you use your hip flexors less, and your abs more. But of course, no amount of any exercise will get rid of what's on top. That's what this site is for. Getting the fat off the top, so we can see those gorgeous abs.