Crunches are one of the most popular core exercises. But trainer Stephanie Mansour says they're one of the exercises that she sees performed incorrectly most often.
Doing crunches without proper form not only devalues the exercise, making it less effective at toning your midsection, but it can also lead to neck and back pain.
The most common mistake people make is pulling their necks forward with their hands while crunching. This added pressure on your neck strains the muscles and causes pain and also leads to decreased core engagement.
To correct this mistake when you perform a crunch:
- Pull your navel in toward your spine and squeeze your abs, making sure your low back maintains contact with the ground.
- Rest your fingertips gently behind your head, and be sure to keep your elbows wide pointed out toward the sides of the room (versus pulling forward toward your knees).
If you're still feeling it in your neck, these 4 exercises will help you build the strength needed to tackle a full crunch.
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