Can you really tone your abdominals without doing crunches?

Yes you can. With what we know about functional anatomy doing crunches is like saying that preacher curls are functional. Its rediculous for anybody to still be doing crunches when the function of the core is stability and force transference Not to mention in the current postural crisis caused by the technology we now have, crunches only overemphasize upper cross syndrome. It flies in the face of current exercise science knowledge to do crunches.


There is a movement issue here that nobody is addressing. The rectus abdominus does not function by itself and should not be trained in isolation. The only time any type of isolation should be used is if there is a compensation due to a weakness in a movement pattern then go back to a functional integration movement pattern and train correctly.

The BellyTone® method works deep within the under-layers of abdominal muscles to strengthen and tone without the use of neck and shoulder girdle-stressing crunches. The answer is Yes!

There are several poses in yoga that firm and tighten your transverse abs and your rectus abdominous (the muscles under your transparent muscle in the stomach). Crunches only work your transverse abdominous.

Yes. Try any plyometric exercises, and you'll see exactly what you can accomplish without crunches. I haven't done any sort of sit up or crunch in.... oh, 7 years. I think i'm doing ok. But seriously. plyos, stability exercises, and on and on and on...

I didn't realize that anybody was still doing crunches ...

Any exercise that places the body in a position where it needs to stabilize will work the core muscles. Call it yoga, pilates, MELT, ball, roller, Bosu, bodyweight, TRX, kettle bells ....... you name it. And you are right that working the core muslces should not be at the expense of the neck and shoulder girdle.

Yes you can. The core muscles (of which the abdominal muscles are a part) are instrumental and used in basically every exercise we perform (particularly free weight or body weight). As the important link between the lower body and the head, these muscles are "exercised" and therefore "toned" in their daily chores such as stabilizing and transferring power from the ground up.

As for specifically targeted exercises to tone the abdominal muscles, there are TONS of them that do not involve crunching. Actually, too many to even list here.

LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
lecfitness@yahoo.com

I can't say enough good things about and highly recommend this book ... "The New Rules of Lifting for Abs: A Myth-Busting Fitness Plan for Men and Women Who Want a Strong Core and a Pain-Free Back" by Lou Schuler/Alwyn Cosgrove
Myths are debunked and the book explains that the crunch is actually a poor choice for most people. Extending the core can be much more effective than flexing abdominal muscles.
If you are familiar with Dr. Stuart McGill then you are aware that performing loads of crunch-type exercises may harm your back. The book's emphasis is on a strong core overall, rather than "toned" abs. It's just that nice-looking abs can also result from the program.

In my experience most people like to think that crunches are the only way to get the "firm" look in their abs for that six pack...however, I have found that isometric exercises such as the plank have helped not only improve the look of the rectus abdominus but the function by working the core as a whole. It's all about risk versus reward in this situation. I would rather have my clients goal be more about the core with mountain climbers, planks, russian twists, etc. then crunches. I use them sparingly as there are many more exercises that can get the same benefit with less risk.

Well, since the answer is yes, then... let me think... YES! I don't really train my abdominals specifically. I incorporate them into ALL of my other actions if and when I'm able. It gives me greater stability and balance while becoming natually 2nd nature, so, when I need them to uphold their end, they can and will.

In b4 "tone" and "crunches".

Also- Original Poster appears to be a Troll.

Falling into most peoples myth- massive amounts of crunches do little to "tone" abs.

"Tone" is not a word for the gym. It refers to increasing muscle and fat to a pleasing percentage.

Your answer is YES. Abs show from a body fat percentage, and can be apparent from someone who does no core work, and tries to eat well in the kitchen.

PS remove the advertisement please OP

Yes. I often get asked what is the best exercise to tone up my abs? I usually tell people there is no magical exercise. You need to eat a healthy diet, train your cardiovascular system on most days of the week and chose exercises that give you the most bang for your buck. Some of these exercises include push-ups, side planks, pull-ups and sprinting. Crunches just aren't necessary if your train with high intensity exercises.

Sure, there are plenty of other exercises and actually I don't like crunches at all.
In today's work world the standard norm is a person slouched over a desk with rounded shoulders so I tend to stay away from that model as much as possible
Planks, standing trunk lateral flexion, v sits, trunk rotations are a few
Also being aware of posture will enhance abdominal strength and recognition.
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Yes for all of the above reasons...and I think Joanne has some very good points!

I think it is important not to forget the function of abdominal muscles. I personally think the word "crunch" is describing one of the actions of the rectus abdominis--flexion of the spine. For me it's like saying that biceps curls are passe'. When one looks at the direction the muscle fibers are running as well as the origin and insertion of the rectus abdominis, it only makes sense to work the muscle in a "crunching fashion" whether one is standing or lying down. That's not to say one cannot include eccentric and isometric contractions when training that muscle group.

I personally don't see anything wrong with performing crunches for that is exactly what the rectus abdominis does.