Trying to strengthen your core and maybe aiming for a six pack? Although crunches can help, you can choose better. Here are 3 abs exercises better than crunches for that shredded-looking belly.
A strong core correlates with good health and a fit body. Everyone wants to be able to show off their six pack. Although it’s all about having a low body fat percentage, which is mostly achieved through diet, you also need to work out your abs to get that six pack showing faster.
In the video below, sports teacher and YouTube fitness guru alex lorenz lists 3 abdominal exercises better than crunches. He is the co-founder of Calisthenics Movement and has trained Calisthenics since 2012, regularly uploading videos for those interested in getting fit using only their body weight.
Abdominal exercises better than sit-ups
According to Lorenz, crunches will only work the rectus abdominis and also limit intensity and could have a negative impact on the spine. So what are these abdominal exercises that are better than the sit-ups Lorenz is talking about?
1. Knee lift
Leg raises or knee raises are great for your abs, but the knee raise made the cut here because it targets your abs without being hindered by your mobility or lack thereof.
The knee raise can be performed in a supporting or hanging position. Make sure you don’t use any momentum to do the movement, as it takes the tension off your abs.
2. Knee to Elbow Plank + Side Plank
These are two combo exercises that will get you the most bang for your buck and that’s why it’s on this list of abdominal exercises better than crunches.
Always make sure you have a posterior pelvic tilt to engage your abs more in the first part of the exercise. Aim for a hollow body position for optimal core engagement.
For the plank, keep your body as horizontal as possible, don’t just hang from your frame, push your arm, leg, and shoulder blade toward the ground.
The side plank can be done with one or two legs on the ground; one leg is much more difficult to stabilize.
3. Plank
If a normal plank is too easy for you, you can adjust the difficulty by lengthening the lever between your elbows and feet, the two support points. The more you move your body backwards, the more difficult the exercise will be.
However, the greater the distance, the more stress you put on your spine, which is bad if you can’t hold the position with your pelvis tilted forward.
This exercise can also be done by lifting one foot off the ground or one hand, or both, to add instability and create more tension in the abs.
And those are the 3 better-than-sit-up abs exercises that you should incorporate into your workout whenever you can. To see exactly how each exercise is performed, with additional tips from Lorenz, click on the video below.
VIDEO – Abdominal exercises better than sit-ups
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