Crunches VS Sit-Ups: Choose The Best Core Workout
When it comes to working out, many people forget to train their core and abs, which can result in a weaker body. Core is the source of your strength; the stronger our core will be, the more strength we will have. The best exercises for Abs and core are crunches and sit-ups, but which is better? We will answer this question in our Crunches VS Sit-ups comparison. So let’s get started.
What Are Sit-Ups?
The first thing that comes in this crunches vs sit-ups comparison is to know what sit-ups are. It is the most popular exercise for abs and core training, and since they are the go-to exercise for beginners, people think that it’s not effective. However, contrary to popular belief, they are supper effective in strengthening your core and abs. The main benefit of situps is that they target your abs as well as your hip flexors which range from your lower back to your thighs. This means that the exercise is good for abs and legs.
Pros:
Sit-ups target multiple muscles like abs, hip flexors, lower back and neck at the same time. Another benefit of sit-ups is that they help burn calories and fat easily.
Cons:
However, there aren’t any problems with this exercise, but you have to make sure that while performing this exercise you do it in the right form as doing it wrong can strain your lower back and neck which can hurt and affect your movement.
How To Do Sit Ups
Here is how do to sit-ups at your home:
1- Place a mat and lie flat on it.
2- Now you need to bend your knees at a 90-degree angle and make sure that the palm of your foot touches the ground flat.
3- You can either place your hands at the back of your head or keep them crossed over your chest.
4- Now exhale while slowly going up and inhale while slowly coming down.
5- To make sure you do it right, you have to touch your knees or thighs with your chest or stomach.
6- Make sure you do the exercise slowly while maintaining the correct technique for maximum benefit and to ensure that the chances of injury are minimal.
What Are Crunches?
Now the next thing in this crunches vs sit-ups comparison is to know what crunches are, what are its benefits and how to perform this exercise. Crunches are like easy sit-ups that have a short range of motion where only your shoulders and upper back lift off the ground. The purpose of crunches is to make beginners acquainted with the range of motion of a core exercise. Moreover, they are safer when it comes to the chances of a back injury. Crunches isolate your core muscles which help you develop abdominal endurance and strength.
Pros:
This is one of the best exercises to make nice and toned abs. The reason for this is that the exercise, unlike sit-ups, offers intense muscle isolation and focuses solely on abdominal muscles. Crunches also trans your lower back and obliques. This is a good exercise to make abdominal muscles and tone them.
Cons:
The main caveat in crunches is that it is very one-dimensional and focus only on your abdominal muscles. Moreover, due to the decreased range of motion you have to perform in this exercise, the ability to burn fat is also quite low. Another problem with this exercise is that you can only perform it at a beginner’s or intermediate level at best, after that, sit-ups are the way to go as they offer more range of motion and work on other muscles except your core.
How To Do Crunches
Crunches are easier than sit-ups so let’s find out how to perform them with a few simple tips:
1- Place a mat and lie flat on it.
2- Make sure your feet are at a 90-degree with the palm of the feet touching the ground flat.
3- Place your hands crossed over your chest.
4- Exhale, slowly lift your shoulder and upper back off the ground and hold the position for 1 second.
5- Now inhale and come down to the starting position.
6- You have to be careful that your lower back doesn’t leave the ground and you perform this as slowly as possible.
7- Repeat this process and you will have toned abs in a month.
A few Alternative Exercises For Core Workouts
While doing the crunches vs sit-ups comparison, it’s worth noting that there are many exercises that you can do to train your core and abdominal muscles. Some of the exercises are:
1- Lateral Knee Touches: Now, in this crunches vs sit-ups alternative, the first exercise is lateral knee touches. In this exercise, you lay on your and place your legs like crunches. Now you have to lift your shoulders off the ground and alternatively touch your knees by rowing side to side. This exercise will help you train your obliques and side abs.
2- Mountain Climber: This crunches vs sit-ups alternative, as the name suggests, you have to mimic the movements of a mountain climber. In this exercise, you have to place your body in the position of a pushup. While maintaining this position, try to mimic crawling. This will engage your core more than you think.
3- Plank: To perform this crunches vs sit-ups alternative, you have to place your elbows on the ground and maintain a pushup position. This is what we call a static exercise that doesn’t require movement and works by engaging your core muscles to maintain a position.
Our Verdict
After going through this crunches vs sit-ups comparison, we have to say that the exercise you choose depends solely on your fitness goals and the strength of your core. If you are a beginner, try crunches, as they have a low chance of lower back injury if done incorrectly. However, if you are at an advanced stage, sit-ups are the way to go as they involve a greater range of motion. So there you have it, choose the exercise that suits you the most, we hope this crunches vs sit-ups comparison helped you.