Crunches Vs Planks: Which is Healthier?

[cupidkisses]

There are lots of exercises to improve your abs and crunch and plank are the most popular ones among them. But which one is healthier? Let's compare them:

Crunch

It is right that crunch helps you have abs but keep in mind that you must do many reps for it. And it is not healthy as your spine shapes just opposite of it is natural way and you have extra press in your spine which may lead to disc injuries- especially herniated disc. And let's accept the fact that most of us do it in wrong way. We use our neck to stand and it results with intense neck pain.

Plank

While doing plank your spine has it's natural shape. So there is no health problem in this point. It improves your balance and strengthens your back, legs, and arms except your abs. Especially good for your weak shoulders.

The choice is yours!

[martyfellow]

Yes you are right, except that plank exercises are isometric and only use certain muscles. Yu also need to do movement to engage the others.

But you are right about crunched not being good for your spine. Leg lifts and bicycle movements, for example, leave your spine in a more natural position.

[Blitzkrieger]

you can do crunches on a roman chair. the chair makes it so that your back does not touch the ground and on top of that you can take a plate in your neck to make it harder. i suppose you can put weights on your back while doing a plank too.

[Cccgala]

Theoretically, both are healthy when done at the right ways. I would prefer the planks because the focus is strength.

Great myTake and congratulations on the Editor status :D

[cupidkisses]

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

i prefer planks easier and more efficient