When it comes to building a well-defined six-pack, few debates in the fitness community are as heated as the one between crunches and hanging leg raises. Both are celebrated as ab-sculpting staples, but which one delivers superior results?

The answer isn’t as simple as picking a favorite. A thorough, evidence-based comparison of the biomechanics, muscle activation, load capacity, injury risk, and adaptability of each movement reveals important distinctions that can shape your core training strategy.

Understanding the Anatomy of the Abdominal Wall

The Primary Muscles Involved

To evaluate which exercise builds a better six-pack, it’s important to understand what “six-pack” really refers to. The term is commonly used to describe the rectus abdominis, a long, flat muscle that extends from

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