Although they won't cause the fat to melt from your waistline any faster than from the rest of your body, doing abdominal crunches can contribute to your overall weight loss. Crunches are a resistance exercise, meaning they burn calories directly plus indirectly by boosting your metabolism.
Calories Burned
According to fitness information website HealthStatus, ten minutes of crunches at a moderate pace burns about 50 calories. The same crunches at a vigorous pace, or with particularly demanding form, burns about 90 calories.
Body Weight
Body weight is a major factor in how many calories an exercise burns, with heavier people burning more calories in any activity. The above numbers are for a 150-lb. person. A 180-lb. person doing the same moderate workout would burn 60 calories. A 130-lb. person would burn just 45.
Metabolism
Crunches are a resistance exercise. They build muscle in the abdomen, back and core. According to Walter Willett of the Harvard School of Public Health, muscle requires more calories even at rest than fat. The more muscle you build by doing crunches, the more calories you will burn throughout the day.
References
- "Eat, Drink and Be Healthy"; Dr. Walter Willett, et al; 2006
- Health Status: Calories Burned by Exercise
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