Crunches can’t get it right
Bobthedog3232
Posts: 54 Member
Every time try crunches exert self to much as get neck sore because are pushing chin into neck like squeezing a lemon under it
Follow videos but can’t see how far up should go when exhale and contract abs
Try lifting mid back as well as shoulders that seems wrong
Can dumbbells be used to lock feet
Follow videos but can’t see how far up should go when exhale and contract abs
Try lifting mid back as well as shoulders that seems wrong
Can dumbbells be used to lock feet
3
Replies
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Why are you doing crunches at all?
Crunches (and situps) are "old school" exercises that are no longer recommended because they they risk injury to your back w/o any meaningful benefit to core strength, given that there are other exercises (like hanging or seated straight or bent leg raises) that can achieve the same goal w/o risk of back injury.12 -
I don't know if this is good advice, bad advice, I just got stronger or what, but here is my experience:
In a group classI used to attend we had to do lots of crunches. My neck was always sore so it's pretty clear I was doing them wrong. I started CrossFit and there we do full situps where we separate our knees and actually touch our toes. My neck is no longer sore doing this. Try those??
Anyone feel free to chime in if my advice is bad.3 -
Bent over rows did a lot more to get my core stronger than attempting to do crunches back when I was weaker ever did. Crunches and sit-ups seem (to me) to require a certain amount of core strength to begin with to be able to do them with decent form and not tweak anything. I can do them fine now, but not back when my core was weaker. When I do them now (along with leg raises/planks/etc), it's largely to fill time between sets.4
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I do not do any kind of crunches. Too hard on the neck and they aren't nearly as effective as planks. There are so many variations to do that I can keep my core strong just doing those. I downloaded a plank challenge on my phone and I do that almost daily.4
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Downloaded a plank app and are doing that daily
The sit ups separating the knees is very helpful will try that2 -
I would choose hollow holds or dead bugs over crunches and sit ups.0
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Will try that also thanks0
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They are overrated and thanks to lumbar muscle spinal pain never doing them again0
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Try planks, hollow holds, leg lifts...0
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Bobthedog3232 wrote: »They are overrated and thanks to lumbar muscle spinal pain never doing them again
So have you tried planks or any of the other suggestions in this thread? Just curious since you commented on it again after so long.0 -
Why are you doing crunches at all?
Crunches (and situps) are "old school" exercises that are no longer recommended because they they risk injury to your back w/o any meaningful benefit to core strength, given that there are other exercises (like hanging or seated straight or bent leg raises) that can achieve the same goal w/o risk of back injury.
I was just thinking the same thing... haven't done a crunch since 1990 something
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Then why are crunches incorporated in so much now it’s infuriating0
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Bobthedog3232 wrote: »Then why are crunches incorporated in so much now it’s infuriating
A program written by anyone who knows what they're doing does not incorporate crunches.4 -
So the same is true with sit ups that’s old school as well isn’t it0
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Crunches have their place, but it works so little on actual core strength.
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Bobthedog3232 wrote: »Then why are crunches incorporated in so much now it’s infuriating
I guess for some it's better than nothing. I am not supposed to do planks because of a shoulder injury....I do because I'm a glutton for punishment. But with all exercise it's better than nothing i suppose0 -
Do planks hollow holds but 1 minute at a time
The issue is consistency get a sore Lower back and get frustrated
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No crunches No planks.
Hollow body hold and dumbbell pull overs for ab work.0 -
Depends on the person. My husband only did sit ups and cable crunches and got awesome abs doing so.
I am following a routine he set up for me and my core is definitely much stronger than it was before, but many other full body exercises are involved in my routine.
If you hurt yourself doing an exercise though and can’t get form right or avoid injury no matter what you do, stop doing that exercise.
For some reason lunges always hurt my knees, no matter what. So, I simply replaced lunges with another exercise that DIDNT cause me any pain. 😊
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Ditch em. Most people have abs, the trick is getting lean enough to show them. I rarely train abs directly, heavy squats and deadlifts work em enough for me. I've probably done 10 crunches in my life. If you want to train abs, planks and leg raises are some options I like.2
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This is an old thread, but gave me plenty of things to 'look up' for core work. Thanks!1
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Crunches and planks are bad for your back.
Dumbbells Pullovers
https://youtu.be/NmOXqeXnbPM
Hollow Body Hold
https://youtu.be/2fB1R9uWQbw
This is me. I'm 48 and do no crunches or planks. My lower back is bullet proof.
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Crunches and planks are bad for your back.
Dumbbells Pullovershttps://youtu.be/NmOXqeXnbPM
Hollow Body Holdhttps://youtu.be/2fB1R9uWQbw
This is me. I'm 48 and do no crunches or planks. My lower back is bullet proof.
Crunches are not inherently bad for your back. Doing crunches WRONG is bad for your back. Since OP is getting back pain from crunches, it stands to reason they do them wrong and should not do them.
Just like with weight loss, there are many different exercises one can choose to do to get great abs.2 -
Yes they are bad. Google it. It's unanimous.
According to Harvard Medical School, crunches are hard on your back, since they "push your curved spine against the floor and work your hip flexors, the muscles that run from the thighs to the lumbar vertebrae in the lower back." When your hip flexors are too tight, they pull on your lower spine, which can cause lower ...Apr 2, 20180 -
DancingMoosie wrote: »Try planks, hollow holds, leg lifts...
Hollow body holds for the win!1 -
Yes they are bad. Google it. It's unanimous.
According to Harvard Medical School, crunches are hard on your back, since they "push your curved spine against the floor and work your hip flexors, the muscles that run from the thighs to the lumbar vertebrae in the lower back." When your hip flexors are too tight, they pull on your lower spine, which can cause lower ...Apr 2, 2018
Lol I did google it and it is NOT unanimous, what IS unanimous is that yes you COULD get hurt. So as I already said, OP IS hurting their back and shouldn’t do them.
Thanks for making me laugh though!1 -
I am doing Dead Bug, Dumbbell Pullover (but will start on a bench w/ hip/back/head fully supported) and Hollow Hold tomorrow. Wish me luck.
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@KHMcG, impressive abs! I would love for mine to look like that! I am going to work dumbbell pullovers into my routine now. Planks are not an issue for me though, especially side planks which work that nice waist line but I appreciate the motivation you just provided, hehe.0
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Prevention magazine has a good 30 day core challenge. I do this on repeat.
https://www.prevention.com/fitness/workouts/g29180866/30-day-ab-challenge/
I want to try the dumbbell pullover but I don’t have dumbbells. I might try them with my kettlebells.
Thanks everyone for the great ideas in this thread!0
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