I walk a lot during the day, but I like to do some exercises at home too. I was doing push-ups and crunches, but recently I read that crunches are actually bad for your back. So basically I have two questions: 1) Are crunches actually bad for you? 2) What would be a good exercise I could replace them with if so?
im assuming you also youtube/google proper form right? for some excercises, you basically have different party disagreeing on whether it's good for you or not, and you really have to dig into the research to see HOW or WHY people claim that it's good or bad. if you have pull up bar I think it's fun and challenging to do. Wall sit/ squat with back to wall can work your legs (ok im not really answering whether crunches are good or bad but I would assume you have something on the ground like a towel or yoga mat and also do it with good form)
Not sure if crunches are actually bad for your back but you could try planks. I'd imagine that any exercise could be damaging if done with bad form.
I've been doing some high intensity workout for a month and usually do different combinations of burpees, jumping jacks, situps, squats, planks, swimmers, pullups, pushups, climbers, high jumps and some exercise with resistance band, like pull aparts.
Star-jumps and running up and down the stairs~ don't trip though! Also, this isn't an exercise routine, but make your steps bouncier and/or skip when you walk - this way you burn calories more without going out of your way to exercise! But obviously only do it when appropriate. ^^
paris made some good recommendations. I think the traditional crunches and situps are the ones that are bad for your back. A better alternative is to do planks because it's not only safer it has more advantage in activating muscle areas other than the abdomen such as the glutes, shoulders and legs. Here's how you do it:[YOUTUBE]TvxNkmjdhMM[/YOUTUBE]