what are more effective, crunches or sit ups?

ghostside
ghostside Posts: 1
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm starting to get back into a routine of doing a few exercises and stretches everyday and I was curious if I should be doing sit ups or crunches. Thanks.

Replies

  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I'm starting to get back into a routine of doing a few exercises and stretches everyday and I was curious if I should be doing sit ups or crunches. Thanks.

    There are far better ways to work your core than either of those. IMHO, the only people that should be doing sit-ups/crunches are those that need to do so to pass a military or other PT type of test...otherwise, they're really not that great and they're really not great for the spine.
  • brianpperkins
    brianpperkins Posts: 6,124 Member
    Supine bicycles, planks, reverse curls .... there are dozens of ab exercises besides situps and crunches to do at home.
  • 4legsRbetterthan2
    4legsRbetterthan2 Posts: 19,590 MFP Moderator
    bump
  • AlongCame_Molly
    AlongCame_Molly Posts: 2,835 Member
    Neither. Both are equally ineffective in reducing fat over the abdomen. As for core strength, you'd still be better off doing planks, bicycles, deadlifts, and suspended leg lifts. Best of luck to you.
  • yogicarl
    yogicarl Posts: 1,260 Member
    Crunches are better than sit-ups as crunches are safer on the back.

    However, V-sits (Yoga Boat Pose) and knees to chest or straight leg lifts hanging off a pull-up bar hit the area better and safer.
  • jardimgirl
    jardimgirl Posts: 522 Member
    Neither. Both are equally ineffective in reducing fat over the abdomen. As for core strength, you'd still be better off doing planks, bicycles, deadlifts, and suspended leg lifts. Best of luck to you.

    what helps remove fat on the abdomen?
  • roz250
    roz250 Posts: 23

    what helps remove fat on the abdomen?

    Proper nutrition. You can't spot-reduce, your body will get rid of the fat it wants in the order it wants to as long as you're eating at a deficit.
  • ottermotorcycle
    ottermotorcycle Posts: 654 Member
    If you want to focus on your abdominals, try doing your crunches/situps on an exercise ball, you'll get a better range of motion and it'll be better on your back. Do ones straight up and ones to either side.
  • Josee76
    Josee76 Posts: 533 Member
    compound lifts... nuff said
  • Kevalicious99
    Kevalicious99 Posts: 1,131 Member
    what helps remove fat on the abdomen?

    Calorie deficit .... you cannot tell your body to lose fat from one area. Doesn't work that way.

    Just have a reasonable deficit .. and you will get there. Eventually the abdominal fat will disappear.

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