Crunch (exercise)

Crunch (exercise)

The crunch is a popular exercise targeting the abdominal muscles. It involves the same muscle groups as the sit-up, but it eliminates the involvement of the lower back and hips in the movement. This makes the crunch an effective exercise for developing the abs, not only for aesthetic purposes but also for the important role they play in core stability and injury prevention.

Execution

The crunch is performed while lying face up on the floor with knees bent, by curling the shoulders towards the pelvis. The hands can be behind or beside the neck or crossed over the chest. Injury can be caused by pushing against the head or neck with hands.

Muscles involved

The primary muscles involved in the crunch are the Rectus abdominis and the Obliques. The rectus abdominis is the large muscle in the mid-section of the abdomen that gives the appearance of the 'six pack' when a person has low body fat levels. The obliques are located on the sides of the abdomen and are responsible for side bending and waist twisting moves.

Variations

There are many variations of the crunch, including the reverse crunch, the twist crunch, the cable crunch, and the Swiss ball crunch. Each variation targets the abdominal muscles from different angles and provides a different level of intensity.

Benefits

The crunch, when performed correctly, can help improve core strength, posture, and muscle tone. It can also help reduce the risk of back pain and injuries.

Criticism

Despite its popularity, the crunch has been criticized for its potential to cause lower back injury due to the excessive flexion of the spine.

See also

• Sit-up
• Plank (exercise)
• Abdominal exercise

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