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February 02, 2021 2 min read

The Difference Between Crunches and Sit-Ups

Crunches and sit-ups are staple exercises in many fitness routines. These simple yet reliable moves are great for building your dream abs. But did you know there’s a difference between them?

Yes! While both help buildup core strength and improve the tone of your abdomen, there are key differences in how they are done, the muscles they target, and the benefits you get from them. In this blog, we’ll be talking about all of that so let’s get started!

Crunches

Crunches primarily target and isolate the abdominal muscles. When you perform this exercise, the lower half of your body remains on the floor. It’s great for building definition in your abs area. However, they are not designed to burn fat nor are they a holistic core training exercise.

When performing crunches, remember these steps:

Lie completely flat on your back, with your knees bent, and your feet planted firmly on the ground. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart. Your hands can either be behind your chest or crossed on top your chest.
With your abs engaged, raise your head and shoulders above the floor. Don’t pull your head forward to avoid straining the neck.
Lower your head and should back to the starting position and repeat until you complete your set.
Don’t forget proper breathing. Exhale as you raise your head and inhale as you lower it.

Sit-Ups

On the other hand, sit-ups are a more well-rounded abdominal exercises. It is much more intense since it not only targets your abdominal muscles but also your hip flexors, chest, neck, lower back, and the muscles in your lower legs. Proper form is important when doing sit-ups to avoid injury.

Here are some things you need to keep in mind:

Lie flat on your back with your legs bent at the knees. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart. Meanwhile, your hands can be placed at the back of your head or crossed on top of your chest.
With your abs engaged, curl your upper body forward until you are seated upright.
Lower to the floor bac to the starting position. Repeat until you finish your set.
Exhale as you raise your upper body and inhale as you lower it.

The Bottom Line

So there you have it. Both crunches and sit-ups can help build abdominal strength and tone your abs. However, they target different muscle groups. It’s up to you to decide which one fits your skill level. Just make sure to observe proper form, start slow, and have fun!