Thanks for the question. Do you have a back history? Then sit-ups could your end.
If not: A sit-up or a rope crunch or the like will not -LIKELY- hurt or break your back in the short term, doing them occasionally.
But we know that it can lead to disc bulges and worse. We also know that they simply are not efficient and could hurt you over time – that’s enough for me…. Â And for someone else they could be the thing that is the last straw for their back and it goes.
Here’s another thing – most versions of crunches or sit-ups ie standing crunch work your discs more than your actual intent: your ‘abs’. To me, it’s pretty simple. Unless your specific demands you to be in flexion (which powerlifting doesn’t) I don’t think you can even justify much of any flexion period.
Like Paul said – carries, stir the pot, holds, drags and such not only are better on your body, they carry-over to your performance much better.
As far as chains sure – they can have their place, what place do they have in your training? In other words: why? This is what you have to answer.
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Brian Carroll is committed to helping people overcome back pain and optimizing lifts and movement. After years of suffering, he met back specialist Prof. McGill in 2013, which led to a life-changing transformation. In 2017, they co-authored the best-selling book "Gift of Injury." On October 3, 2020, Carroll made history in powerlifting by squatting 1306 lbs, becoming the first person to break this record. He retired with a secure legacy and a life free from back pain.
