EXERCISE TO DO INSTEAD

Your Upgrade: The Plank

Not only does the plank require more muscle
activation in the obliques than the traditional crunch,
according to research, but researchers have also
found that practicing this position can actually help
lower the risk of developing lower back pain later in
life, according to Matthews. Why? "The plank targets
your abdominal muscles, helps to build muscular
endurance and spares your spine in the process," she
says.