Crunches can be great if you’re looking to get washboard abs. But when it comes to core strength, there’s a bigger and better bunch of exercises that you can choose from, that also won’t have you trying to lift up and down off the floor repeatedly – like this six-move workout. Not only are all the exercises performed standing or kneeling, but you won’t need any equipment either, just a few household items.
So why aren’t crunches better? According to University Hospital crunches tend to only isolate and work a small religion of your abdominal and core muscles, such as the rectus abdominis, internal and external obliques. Our core, however, also includes our pelvis, lower back and hips. Harvard Health says dynamic patterns of movement - like the plank - are better to strengthen our entire set of core muscles, which will help our body become more stable and balanced. (Although, FYI, the workout below doesn't include any planking.)
