Crunches
Crunches
Crunches are great for people who have lower back problems or can't/don't do sit-ups. Crunches work primarily the upper portion of your abs as well as your obliques because you are performing spinal flexion.
Instructions
- Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat while crossing your hands across your chest or some other comfortable position.
- Rise up off the floor and curl your upper body toward your knees about 30 degrees while initiating the movement with your stomach.
- Contract your stomach as hard as you can at the top of the movement.
- Resist on the way back down.
Tips
- Make sure you initiate the movement with your abs and don't just jerk yourself up with every muscle in your upper body.
- Concentrate on not returning to the starting position completely with your shoulders touching the ground. Stop just short of that.
- After you adapt to this exercise, you can rise up more intensely on the upward movement, but you should always resist and come back in a more controlled manner but not necessarily slow.
- Don't pull on your neck.
To ask a question about abdominals, go to the abdominal forum.
Return to the Abdominals Workout Center.
*As always, you should consult your physician before starting an exercise program.
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