| Over the past years, full sit ups have fallen out of | | | | weak abdominal muscles, weak back muscles, a |
| favor with personal trainers, and crunches have taken | | | | previous injury to the back, or poor exercise technique |
| over as the most popular stomach exercise. The main | | | | sit ups may pose a higher risk of injury. |
| reason crunches have taken over is the belief that full | | | | The truth is that sit ups are not bad for your lower |
| sit ups are bad for your back, and in this article we will | | | | back. Previous Injury, bad flexibility, poor posture, weak |
| explore the difference between the 2 exercises. | | | | back muscles, weak abdominal muscles, and poor |
| The big difference between the 2 exercises is the | | | | exercise technique are bad for your back. |
| joints that are involved. In crunches, only your spine | | | | Crunches work the abdominal muscles really well |
| moves; however, in sit ups your spine and your hips | | | | without putting too much compression on the joints of |
| move. The hip movement is the big difference | | | | the lumbar spine, and when the feet are placed on a |
| between the exercises. | | | | bench or ball during crunches there is slightly less |
| The muscles that move the hips during sit ups are the | | | | pressure on the lumbar spine. But crunches on the |
| hip flexors. The hip flexors attach to the lower back | | | | floor are also flawed because they utilize very little |
| and the pelvis. When the hip flexors contract, they add | | | | range of motion. |
| pressure to the lower back, but this is a normal | | | | In order to maximize functional strength, you should |
| biomechanical process. The problem occurs when the | | | | strive to exercise your joints through as much range |
| lower back is irritated or injured because extra | | | | of motion as possible while keeping good form and |
| pressure from the hip flexors may increase | | | | avoiding pain. A great exercise for the abdominals is |
| discomfort. | | | | crunches on a stability ball. Crunches on a ball work |
| When you think of any exercise, you must weigh the | | | | your abs through a greater range of motion than when |
| benefit versus the risk. Sit ups serve a very significant | | | | done of the floor, and since they do not involve the hip |
| benefit for athletes. They are a great exercise for | | | | flexors there is less pressure on the lower back than |
| abdominal strength, and they train your body through | | | | full sit ups. |
| its full range of motion. Athletes in running, jumping, and | | | | Hopefully, that gives you a little more of a perspective |
| throwing sports can improve their performance by | | | | about the difference between sit ups and crunches. |
| including sit ups in their workouts. | | | | Before beginning any exercise program, you should |
| However, for non-athletes or people with lower back | | | | consult with a health care professional. If you ever feel |
| problems the risk of injury might outweigh the benefit. If | | | | discomfort when you are exercising, that is also a sign |
| you have poor flexibility, bad posture or alignment, | | | | you should consult with a professional. |