Without a doubt, the most effective way to lose pounds is by doing intervals. Of course, what you eat is going to have a lot to do with it too. Should you decide to work your abdominals, you must avoid the traditional solutions of the situp and crunch. Assuming, of course, that you’re after a flat stomach.

I could hardly believe my eyes when I was a nearby “Y” for all the different exercises people were doing for their abdominals. The trouble is that all these traditional and desperate approaches will neither develop a six pack nor prevent the lower back’s pain.

All these things: crunching,oblique crunching, ball-passes, and sit-ups are not going to help anyone reach their goals. Most people think that workouts with the situp and crunch are going to be necessary, but no one likes doing these.

The sit-up is harder than the crunch, but the problem is how disc compression in the back occurs, causing injury. You just want to stay away from them.

You need to have exercises that involve a lot of movement, unlike crunches to effect fat-loss. It’s a welll known fact in the fitness community that these short resistance drills don’t do anything to improve body composition, even if you do a high number of reps.

The following are some good ideas to replace the situp and crunch for something more effective.

Those new to fitness should look at the planks and side-planks. Those with some experience should do the balance-ball rolls and knee-raising from the hang.

Advanced people should do pullups, kneeups and leg-raising from the hang.

These exercise pairs will set you free from situps and crunches for good. There’s no need to risk your health and mobility for gains you will never realize with the exercises you’re doing now.