Our core muscles lie at the foundation of almost all movement we engage in. Whether we're getting out of bed in the morning or lugging groceries, a strong core can help maintain posture, balance, and overall health. One of the most iconic core exercises is the crunch, a timeless no-equipment move that can easily be added to any workout regimen.

But do crunches actually give you the chiseled abs that many of us dream of? And are they the ultimate core exercise? This article goes in-depth on the benefits, form, and pitfalls to ensure you get the most from your daily crunches.

How to Do Crunches

To master the crunch, proper form is necessary for effectiveness and injury avoidance. Use these steps for optimal results:

• Lie on back, knees bent, feet hip-width apart on the ground.
• Engage your abs, bringing belly button towards spine.
• Interlace fingers behind head, elbows wide, and lift shoulder blades off the mat using your abs. Exhale as you come up.
• Inhale and bring your head back to the mat slowly.
• Do many reps in proper form.

Performing crunches with perfect form is important for building your core, but good form is necessary to achieve maximum benefit and avoid injury. This old-school exercise mainly works the rectus abdominis, the muscle used for spinal flexion and that elusive six-pack definition. The supporting muscles such as the obliques help in rotation of the torso and lateral flexion, adding to overall core stability. To execute a crunch properly, activate your core, raise your shoulder blades without jerking your neck, and control your descent.

What Muscles do Crunches Work?

Crunches basically target the rectus abdominis, also referred to as the "six-pack" muscle. The muscle goes straight down along your front stomach area and performs the function of flexing your spine- basically curling up your upper part of the body.

Also, crunches engage the obliques, which are used in torso rotation and lateral flexion. Obliques support your spine, enhancing balance and coordination. While crunches primarily engage the front of your torso, they add to core strength, which is useful for movement in every direction.

Benefits of Doing Daily Crunches

While crunches by themselves won't burn stomach fat, they provide a number of significant advantages:

Stronger Core Muscles

Crunches strengthen the rectus abdominis and obliques, leading to greater core stability overall.

Improved Posture

Having a strong core can support your spine, minimizing the risk of slouching or backache.

Enhanced Athletic Performance

Most sports, such as running and weightlifting, depend on core strength for power and efficiency.

Better Balance and Stability

A trained core aids in coordination, minimizing the risk of falls or injury.

Toned Appearance

Although crunches will not burn fat, they do make the abdominal muscles more defined when paired with healthy eating and cardiovascular training.

Crunches vs. Sit-Ups: Which Is Better?

Some people mix up crunches and sit-ups, but they are two different exercises.

Crunches consist of lifting only the top part of the back off the ground, concentrating on isolating the abdominal muscles.

Sit-ups are an exercise requiring the full range of motion, elevating your torso completely to your knees, working more of the hip flexors and lower back.

Crunches are a better option for beginners because they are easier to execute properly and cause less strain on the spine.

How Many Crunches To Do Every Day?

A balanced core exercise routine must have a mix of exercises and not be limited to crunches. That said, if you wish to do crunches every day, try following this basic routine:

• Beginner: 3 sets of 10 repetitions
• Intermediate: 3 sets of 20 repetitions
• Advanced: 3 sets of 30 repetitions and above

For optimal results, accompany crunches with other core movements such as leg raises, planks, and bicycle crunches.

Common Mistakes While Doing Crunches

Even simple exercises can do more harm—or nothing at all—if performed the wrong way. Here are a few mistakes one might make doing crunches:

Pulling on the Neck: A lot of people put a strain on the neck by yanking the head forward. Don't do this. Keep hands light at the back of the head and instead use your abs to lift.

Utilizing Momentum: If you're swinging your body up rapidly rather than engaging your core, you're losing the advantage. Use slow, controlled motion.

Lower Back Arches: Keep your lower back in contact with the mat at all times to avoid strain.

Holding Your Breath: Exhale while lifting and inhale on the way down to keep oxygen flow correct.

Neglecting Other Core Exercises: Crunches will not provide you with a full core workout. Add variations and full-body movements to achieve maximum strength and definition.

Crunches are still a staple exercise for developing core strength, but they should not be the sole ab exercise. Although they are effective in targeting the rectus abdominis, adding a combination of core exercises, including planks, side planks, and leg raises, will provide better overall results.

If you’re looking for a toned and strong midsection, consistency is key, but so is variety. Pair crunches with a balanced diet, full-body workouts, and adequate rest to truly see the benefits.

Spending a dedicated time exercising, whether it is an hour or half, could be difficult for some people. If you live alone, or are a homemaker, most of the time goes by taking care of household chores, commuting to and from work, grocery runs and general day to day errands. This leads many people to worry that that they may not be able to lead a healthy lifestyle, but a new study shows that even small movements can prove to be a great addition to your daily life. The study was published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology, and revealed small movements being a great aid to bigger health issues.

Researchers found that people who weren't in the habit of working out saw improvements in their fitness after doing a specific type of exercise for about a month. These improvements included stronger muscles, more stamina to keep going, and better flexibility. This means you don't need to spend hours at the gym to start feeling healthier; even short bursts of activity can make a real difference.

Can Small Movements Make A Big Difference?

The type of exercise the study focused on is called ‘eccentric exercise’- movement emphasizes the part of an exercise where your muscles are lengthening. Think about slowly lowering any weighted object after you lift it and gently going down into a squat. Research has shown that this type of exercise is easier on your body compared to other types of workouts, and it's very effective at helping your muscles grow stronger and bigger. It's a smart way to build muscle without putting too much strain on your body, making it a good option for people who are just starting to exercise.

Even a small amount of this type of movement done regularly can provide noticeable benefits for your fitness. This is encouraging news for people who might feel like they don't have much time or energy to dedicate to exercise. It shows that even short, simple routines can have a real impact on your strength, endurance, and flexibility, making it easier to do everyday activities.

The participants, mostly women, went through a short period to get used to the study before starting a four-week routine of eccentric exercises. Every day, they performed ten repetitions of four easy exercises- chair squats (standing up and sitting down using a chair), chair reclines (leaning back slightly while seated), wall push-ups, and heel drops (raising up onto their toes and slowly lowering their heels).

After the four weeks of daily eccentric exercises, the researchers found some interesting results. While there weren't big changes in things like body composition, resting heart rate, or blood pressure, the participants did show significant improvements in their ability to do sit-ups and push-ups. They also performed better on the three-minute step test, which measures cardiovascular endurance. Additionally, their flexibility improved, and they reported feeling better mentally. This suggests that even a small amount of daily exercise can lead to noticeable and lasting fitness benefits for people who are not regularly active.

Exercises You Can Perform At Home

Chair squats: standing up and sitting down using a chair

Chair reclines: leaning back slightly while seated

Wall push-ups: placing your palms on the wall and pushing against it

Heel drops: raising up onto their toes and slowly lowering their heels

Tips To Help You Get Started With Eccentric Training

If you're interested in trying eccentric training, remember that you don't have to stick to the exact exercises used in the study. Almost any exercise can include an eccentric component. If you're not very active right now, you'll likely still see progress even if you start with low intensity and very short exercise sessions. Experts suggest starting with just five minutes a day and aiming for around ten repetitions of each exercise. This can be a good starting point to see what's possible, and from there, you can gradually increase the intensity or how long you exercise to keep improving your fitness.

One of the biggest indicators of a good workout for people is how much they sweat. The more you sweat, better the workout. Many people love heated workouts, like hot yoga or spin, even when it’s warm outside. Studios make the rooms very hot, sometimes over 100 degrees. they also believe it is a good way of remaining fit and a great evidence of their hard work. While a lot of people believe this, you still must see how it benefits you and whether are any other safety concerns or health risks you may be putting yourself into by doing this.

The Cleveland Clinic explains that working out in the heat can make your blood flow faster and warm up your muscles. This might make you more flexible. You might also burn a few more calories than in a normal workout. Some people feel good after a hot workout, like they do after a sauna. But, just being hot doesn’t mean you’ll get super fit. You still need to work hard and do the exercises correctly. Don't think that only the heat will make you fit.

Are There Any Risks Of Doing Heated Workouts?

Working out when it’s too hot can make it harder to exercise. According to WebMD your body has to work harder to stay cool, so you might not be able to do as much. This can mean you don’t get as much benefit from the workout. Normal workouts in a comfortable room can be just as good, and maybe even better for you. Heated workouts aren’t a magic way to get fit. They can also put a lot of extra stress on your body, so be careful.

When it’s very hot, you can get dehydrated easily. This can lead to problems like heat exhaustion or fainting. Drink a lot of water before, during, and after class. Watch out for signs that you’re getting too hot, like feeling dizzy or sick. If you have any chest, joint, or muscle pain, stop right away. It's important to listen to your body and make sure you are not pushing yourself too hard.

Who Should Avoid Heated Workouts

Some people should not do heated workouts. Older people, pregnant women, and people with heart problems should be careful. These workouts can be dangerous for them. If you have health problems like high blood pressure or asthma, talk to your doctor first. Just because a workout is popular, doesn’t mean it’s safe for you. It's better to be safe than sorry, so ask your doctor.

Exercise is the key to good health, but as with anything—even water or vitamins—too much of a good thing can be dangerous. For 41-year-old Gemma Underwood, a Scottish fitness enthusiast and orange belt in karate, her passion for training nearly cost her life. What started as an “intense” martial arts session led her down a frightening path to the emergency room, where she was diagnosed with a rare and potentially deadly condition called rhabdomyolysis. Her story is a sobering reminder for gym-goers and athletes everywhere: fitness without balance can be fatal.

It was just another training day in March for Underwood in South Ayrshire, Scotland. Her karate session had been grueling, pushing her physical boundaries, but she felt satisfied—until the next morning. Unable to get out of bed due to severe muscle pain and swelling, she noticed her arms had ballooned, and her muscles were extremely tight. But the most alarming sign was what she saw in the bathroom mirror: her urine had turned a disturbing dark brown, which she described as resembling “Coca-Cola.”

Panicked and confused, Underwood rushed to the emergency room. Medical professionals quickly diagnosed her with rhabdomyolysis, often referred to as “rhabdo,” a serious condition involving the breakdown of muscle tissue that releases toxic proteins—specifically myoglobin—into the bloodstream. If untreated, these proteins can clog the kidneys, leading to kidney failure or even death.

What is Rhabdomyolysis?

Rhabdomyolysis is not commonly discussed in mainstream fitness conversations, but it’s a well-known risk among medical professionals and elite trainers. According to the Cleveland Clinic, rhabdo occurs when skeletal muscle breaks down rapidly due to extreme physical exertion, trauma, or dehydration. As muscle fibers die, they release their contents into the bloodstream, overwhelming the kidneys and potentially causing multi-organ failure.

Symptoms vary and can be deceptively mild in early stages. They typically include:

• Muscle pain, swelling, or tenderness
• Weakness or difficulty moving limbs
• Fatigue or malaise
• Nausea or vomiting
• Significantly reduced urination or dark-colored urine (a major red flag)

In Underwood’s case, the condition escalated quickly—an all-too-common reality when the signs are misunderstood or ignored. Doctors told her the cause was likely inadequate hydration during her intense workout. “I wasn’t hydrated enough,” she admitted. “I should have been drinking more water before.”

Water plays a vital role in preventing rhabdomyolysis. Without enough fluids, the kidneys struggle to flush out myoglobin and other harmful muscle breakdown products. During strenuous exercise, particularly in high-heat environments or lengthy sessions, fluid loss through sweat increases dramatically. If not replenished, the body enters a state of dehydration, magnifying the impact of muscle strain.

Despite being fit and experienced, Underwood made the critical mistake of underestimating her hydration needs—a mistake that nearly proved fatal.

Underwood spent five days in the hospital receiving intravenous fluids and was fitted with a catheter to monitor kidney function. She’s now on a mandatory exercise hiatus for at least three weeks and has made hydration a top priority.

“I’m currently resting, no exercise at all, and drinking plenty of fluids,” she shared. “It was terrifying knowing I could’ve died from something that seemed so routine. Make sure you're hydrated before any workout, no matter how intense it is.”

Her message is clear: no one is immune to the dangers of overtraining. Her story is a cautionary tale not just for elite athletes but for anyone who steps into a gym or takes on a new fitness challenge without adequate preparation.

How to Exercise Smart and Stay Safe?

While rhabdomyolysis is rare, it’s becoming increasingly common among high-intensity workout communities, especially in CrossFit, spin classes, and boot camps where participants are encouraged to push limits. The good news? It’s entirely preventable.

Here’s what every exerciser should remember:

Hydration is non-negotiable: Drink water before, during, and after workouts. Electrolytes help too.

Ease into new routines. Whether you’re new to fitness or returning after a break, increase intensity gradually.

Listen to your body. Pain and fatigue are signals, not challenges to override.

Know the symptoms. Dark urine, severe swelling, and unexplained weakness are not to be ignored.

Rest and recovery matter. Muscles grow and repair when you rest—not when you overtrain.