Sit-ups were once the best way to get a tighter stomach and a smaller waistline. When “planks” were just flooring. Plank exercises are now the gold standard for working your core. The classic crunches and sit-ups have become less popular.
Why do planks instead of sit-ups
Sit-ups can be hard on the back. The sit-ups work the hip flexors – the muscles that connect the thighs with the lumbar vertebrae of the lower back. If the hip flexors become too strong or tight, they can cause lower back pain.
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Planks also target more muscles in the front, side, and back than sit-ups, which only work a few.
Lastly, everyday activities such as getting out of bed or bathing, as well as sports, recreational, and sporting activities, require your muscles to work in concert, not separately. Sit-ups and crunches only strengthen a few muscles. A good core workout, such as plank exercises, supports all the core muscles that you use daily through dynamic movements.
