10 Reasons Why Crunches And Sit Ups Are No Good For You!

The true authentic function of the abdominal muscles (front butt or front line of the body) during human movement/function, is to control the motions of the pelvis and rib cage (thoracic spine) in all 3 planes of human motion.

It is important you understand that the abdominal muscles get turned on (activated/stimulated) the same way every other muscle in the body gets turned on, by lengthening (stretching or loading) first.

Therefore when you select abdominal exercises, you’ll want to select and perform exercises that teach your abdominals to do what they really do when we move and function in the real world.

This type of training logic will ensure that what you are doing will carry over to what you ultimately want to be able to do better, giving you the most bang for your buck in your overall investment in your physical health and well being.

1. Crunches and sit ups shorten the stomach muscles (rectus abdminus) which will depress the rib cage and pull those who perfom them into a more rounded shoulder, hump back, slouching looking posture (kyphotic posture) along with tightening the hip flexors even more. (If that’s what you’re looking for keep doing those crunches and sit ups baby!)

2. Crunches and sit ups are performed lying on your back, while most of  human function occurs in an upright position.

3. In real world everyday functional activities we never use our abdominals in an isolated manner, like a crunch or sit up teaches us to do.

4. Traditional crunches and sit ups do not load the hips and thoracic spine into extension.

5. Crunches and sit ups do not link the motions of the pelvis, rib cage and shoulders together. (The Peltrunkula Phenomenon)

6. Crunches and sit ups isolate and train the abs in 1 plan of motion. (The abs like every other muscle and joint in the body work in all 3 planes of motion)

7. Crunches and sit ups do not train the abdominals t0 lengthen and load through the full spectrum of movements that are incurred in daily living and sports: bending, twisting, reaching, walking, running, lunging, etc..

8. Crunches and sit ups do not involve the butt. (“if the butt ain’t movin the abdominals ain’t groovin”)

9. Crunches place high compression loads on the lumbar discs (lower back) and cervical spine (neck) due to forced flexion.

10. Crunches and sit ups do not involve a transfer of energy from the foot/ankle. (“If the ankle and foot are tight theres a good chance the core ain’t right”)

So if crunches and sit ups teach the abdominals to do what they don’t really do in the real world (true authentic function) then why would you ever do another crunch or sit up ever again?

Would you ever invest time or money into something you’ll never use, feel good about, or benefit from?

If you perform crunches and sit ups, take a minute and think about Why? If the why has nothing to do with looking, feeling, and performing at your very best and doing so for a long time, you may need to revise your training strategy.

Click Here To See A Functional Abdominal Workout