10 Better Alternatives to Crunches and Sit Ups
Read moreWhat can I use instead of an exercise ball?
For those who like to use a small workout ball during sweat sessions, Nolden says she uses a circular pillow that provides a similar result. Or, if you don’t have a pillow that works, roll up a towel and use that instead.
Read moreWhat muscles are worked in a ball crunch?
Because of its ability to target the entire core, the Swiss-ball crunch should be a staple in your workout. The exercise primarily works the rectus abdominis, or six-pack muscles, and the transverse abdominis . But when performed properly, it also calls on muscles that stabilize the hips and lower back.
Read moreAre crunches on a ball better?
A study by researchers at the Department of Kinesiology at Occidental College in Los Angeles says yes. The study found that crunches performed on a stability ball (a.k.a. fitness ball or Balance Ball) boosted activation, or flexing, of abdominal muscles by 24 to 38 percent over crunches done without a ball .
Read moreWhat muscles does a crunch work?
Like situps, crunches help you build muscle. But unlike situps, they work only the abdominal muscles . This intense muscle isolation makes them a popular exercise for people trying to get six-pack abs. This also makes them ideal for strengthening your core, which includes your lower back muscles and obliques.
Read more