How crunches give your body so much more than strong abs

Here's why crunches are so good for your overall health.

Workout regimens often flame out as quickly as it takes them to start trending. But others can stand the test of time. Exercises like tai chi, running, swimming, hiking and yoga have been around for centuries and are as healthy today as they were in ancient times.

The same can be said of long-standing resistance training exercises and bodyweight movements like pull-ups, squats, push-ups and sit-ups. Crunches are another enduring bodyweight exercise.

Here's everything you need to know about crunches.  

Crunches are a popular abdominal exercise that is similar to a sit-up but with a shorter range of motion. They are considered a form of resistance training because the movement causes your abdominal muscles to work against the resistance of gravity and your own body weight, DJ McDonough, PhD, MS, a cardiovascular disease researcher at the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health previously explained.

The exercise is performed laying on your back (preferably on a yoga mat or other soft surface), with your knees bent and your feet on the ground in front of you about as wide apart as your hips. Arms are either crossed to opposite shoulders over your chest or hands are placed on either side of or behind your head. Then, lift your head and shoulder blades off the ground before releasing the position and resting your head back on the ground.