Men's Fitness core training without crunches

Men’s Fitness published a new training article on June 1 that told readers to stop treating crunches as the default core exercise and instead train the midsection through stability, anti-rotation strength and loaded movement. The piece, “How to Build a Stronger Core Without Crunches,” was written by Steven Aadame, C.P.T., and posted on the outlet’s training vertical. Men’s Fitness framed the approach as “modern core training,” with an emphasis on strength that carries into broader movement rather than repeated spinal flexion. Aadame wrote that the goal is “a stronger, more resilient core” built without “a single crunch.” ### What exactly did Men’s Fitness tell readers to do instead of crunches? Steven Aadame, C.P.T., said the replacement is not one single exercise but a category of work: stability drills, anti-rotation training and loaded carries. The article summary published by Men’s Fitness says “modern core training focuses on stability, strength, and movement efficiency,” which places the core in the role of resisting motion and transferring force rather than only creating a burn in the abs. (mensfitness.com) Men’s Fitness also described the approach as integrated training rather than ab isolation. Aadame wrote that focusing on “stability, anti rotation strength, and loaded carries” can build core strength without crunches, according to the article excerpt surfaced on the site and in search results. ### Why are crunches being pushed aside in this kind of programming? Men’s Fitness did not present crunches as useless. (mensfitness.com) The article instead placed them outside the center of a broader training plan built around movement quality and resilience. The site’s own framing says the newer model of core work is about “movement efficiency,” which suggests the intended payoff is better bracing and control during other lifts and daily movement, not only visible abdominal contraction. Earlier Men’s Fitness coverage points in the same direction. In a separate functional-core article, the magazine said crunches and situps activate the abs but do not hit as many core muscles as functional exercises, including the obliques, and quoted coach Travis Brown saying the core should be trained in different planes of motion. That earlier framing helps explain the editorial line behind the new June 1 piece, though the new article itself is the current item. (mensfitness.com) ### What kinds of exercises fit this no-crunch core approach? Men’s Fitness has repeatedly tied crunch-free core work to anti-rotation and stability exercises. Its prior coverage highlighted movements such as the Pallof press, which the magazine says trains the obliques, deep core stabilizers and lower-back muscles by resisting rotation. In another article, Men’s Fitness described plank progressions as a way to build core stability, bracing and breathing under load. (mensfitness.com) The June 1 article did not surface its full exercise list in search snippets, but the published summary and article deck indicate that the workout includes descriptions and progression advice. That places the piece closer to a practical programming guide than a general opinion column. ### Who is the article aimed at? Men’s Fitness presented the piece as training guidance for readers looking to build a stronger core through exercise selection and progression. (mensfitness.com) The site’s training pages broadly position ab and core content around “strength, definition, and performance,” and the June 1 article was published alongside other technique-focused items by Aadame on posture, balance and shoulder health. The article’s structure also suggests it is meant for people already following a program, because Men’s Fitness says it includes progression tips rather than only beginner instructions. (mensfitness.com) The magazine did not, in the surfaced excerpts, present it as a medical recommendation or rehabilitation protocol. ### Where does this fit in Men’s Fitness coverage right now? Men’s Fitness listed “How to Build a Stronger Core Without Crunches” on its news page on June 1 among a cluster of same-day training posts by Steven Aadame, C.P.T., including articles on rucking, shoulder health, posture, balance and recovery. (mensfitness.com) That publishing pattern shows the piece was part of a broader package of practical fitness guidance released at the start of the week. (mensfitness.com) The article remained live on June 1 at Men’s Fitness under the training section. Aadame is the named author on the post, and the site description says the piece includes the workout details and progression guidance readers would need for the next step. (mensfitness.com 1) (mensfitness.com 2)