Crunch
Step by step
How to perform
- Place your hands behind your head or cross them over your chest, then slowly lift your upper body towards your knees, using your abdominal muscles.
- Make sure to keep your lower back on the ground and your eyes looking upwards to avoid straining your neck.
- Hold the position at the peak of the crunch for a moment, then slowly lower your upper body back down to the starting position.
- Repeat this movement for the desired number of repetitions, ensuring to maintain proper form throughout.
Overview
About this exercise
The Crunch exercise is a core strengthening workout that primarily targets the abdominal muscles, contributing to improved posture, balance, and overall fitness. It's suitable for individuals at all fitness levels, from beginners to advanced, as it can be easily modified to match one's ability. People may want to incorporate Crunches into their routine to build and tone their abs, support better body function, and aid in preventing back pain or injury.
Coaching cues
Form tips
Place your hands lightly behind your head or crossed over your chest. Avoid pulling on your neck or using your arms to lift your upper body, as this can cause neck strain. The power should come from your abdominal muscles, not from your neck or arms.
As you lift your upper body, focus on contracting your abdominal muscles. Exhale as you crunch up and inhale as you lower back down. This should be a slow, controlled movement - don't use momentum to jerk your body up and down.
Remember that a crunch is not a full sit-up. You should only lift your head, neck, and shoulders off the floor. Going too
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