What’s the planking point? (Crunches vs. planking)

January 13, 2016 Ashley 0 Comments

As all the my muscles in my body begin to give way during Muay Thai class warmup, I wonder two things:

1.) Are these planks Sifu Mikey’s making us do really any better than crunches?

and

2.) Why was this so much more fun when it was a trend popular amongst teenagers and immature adults?

(“I’m lovin’ planks” better be your mantra if that’s where you eat, my dude.)

And, a couple months (and a marginally better waistline) later, I still wanna answer that first inquiry.

Initially, it was just because I was hoping to get outta turning my body into gyrating ramp during these Thursday night, fifteen minute long warmups. Maybe settle for the situp type stuff instead. Talk Mikey into changing up the game a little. But when I realized that A.) that would never happen and B.) I kinda hate both crunches and planks, I figured I should start a quest for the lesser of the evils to work on in my downtime. So, what exactly’s the difference between freezing my abs in place, versus turning them into a V shape and crunching upward? Functionally? Aesthetically?

My journey over into LiveStrong land to mine for a reply was both fascinating and disappointing.

Because both of these badboys have benefits.

See, the thing about the plank is that it’s what’s called an isometric exercise. The posture’s as simple to explain as it is tough to maintain: you dig your elbows (or hands) and foot balls (or knees) into the earth while elevating everything else till you look like a table with polio in an earthquake.

(The earthquake being the fatigue induced thoroughgoing tremors you get after a minute or so.)

During this whole endeavor, you’re holding the muscles in place the entire time – which, unlike with crunches, augments that tightness sans the washboard bulking you might get with the other exercise. Also, you work about 20 muscles. With crunches? You’re only enlisting six to do the job. Plus, planks work both your dorsal side and tummy – while crunches recruit only your front.

That said, crunches aren’t necessarily to be knocked.

(Wait – is she bathed in white light because she *also* feels like she’s dying when she tries to do this?)

Aside from the fact that some people want those abs that look like a litter of bricks is trying to escape from under your skin, this one’s also good in that it provides room for more modification. The plank does offer a few, but it’s mostly pretty straightforward with little room for improv (like adding in med balls weights, resistance, or subtle movement alterations you can do when you’re actually moving). Aside from getting defined, strong, and keeping your options open – those with shoulder and joint issues (like me), might find the workarounds of the crunchery genre to be optimal. (Seeing as you don’t hafta put the weight of what feels like a pyramid brick sized body on top of your limb hinges when you bend at the abdomen.) But, in the end, it’s suggested that if you can do both – then do. Because both complement one another.

(Good workout that incorporates both. See what I mean about crunch variety?)

So, the bottom line for a lean middle?

That I’d best be pumping out planks and the crunches to get benefits of both toning and strength.

Just don’t tell Sifu Mikey that.