Popular Exercises To Avoid At All Costs — Unless You Do Them Right

No more crunches for me‽

Exercise physiologist Heather Milton says sit-ups and crunches are “not needed — ever.” Not only are they terribly ineffective, they tend to overuse areas already prone to abuse, such as the spinal column and lower back. What’s more, sit ups produce the same force in the spine that can create disc bulges and herniation.

“Think about what you’re doing when performing a sit-up,” says Milton. “You’re going from a neutral spine position where you’re lying on the ground and you’re creating a flexion [a bending] movement in your spine each time you’re coming up.”

Most of the exercises mentioned I avoid (due to loathing of using weights) but I’m surprised that crunches are a new no no.

I do not do sit-ups as they do hurt my spine, but crunches (bicycle & V-formation) I do as it gives my abs an extra “burn.”

Perhaps I should reconsider‽

Oh, & I’m not giving up Pull-ups so… 😜

Popular Exercises To Avoid At All Costs — Unless You Do Them Right