Why we don't crunch anymore.

It has been so hard for the fitness industry to come together on this one. Every big name in the industry has come out with the same study that says the benefit versus risk of doing an abdominal crunch is just too far different to continue doing them. Why are we so intent on doing them, still? Plus, there are just better ways to get really great abdominal strength.
When we talk about risk versus benefit, here is what we mean. In the example of the abdominal crunch the risk just outweighs the benefit. What is the risk? The risk is that every single time we crunch, even though we are on the floor, we are compromising spinal integrity. It isn't a natural, functional way for our spine to move. Never during our normal lives do we move that way (except maybe to rise up out of bed, even then I think most of us literally roll out of bed). The benefits of an abdominal crunch? We do get benefit from this exercise, yes, but the strength means nothing when you then have a screwed up back. People want to try and convince me that it's better when we put it on a Swiss ball or a Bosu. No, a crunch is a crunch is a crunch is a crunch. It still compromises the back. Science has come up with better ways to gain abdominal strength. We have since then adopted other exercises that still give you great abdominal strength as well as a few other muscles along with it.
The hover is a great example. Check out my website (link in the right sidebar) for a perfect picture (Ollie the Outline, you're welcome). We still get fantastic abdominal work with no compromise in the spine (assuming you are doing it correctly). Great thing about a hover is that we get to also strengthen the shoulders as well as some muscles of the back. Great benefits, low risk. Crunch? Low benefit, high risk.
So please, please, please stop doing crunches. Please.