Crunches have been the mainstay of ab workouts for decades. They target the rectus abdominis, the six-pack muscle that runs along the front of the torso. Building this muscle is one part of developing your core muscles for stability and performance. Crunches can be part of a core strength workout or a total body workout.
Benefits
The rectus abdominis muscle flexes to bring your shoulders towards your hips. As one of the major core muscles, it provides stability for the body. A strong back and abs are the foundation of all your daily movements as well as performance in sports.
The rectus abdominis muscle flexes to bring your shoulders towards your hips. As one of the major core muscles, it provides stability for the body. A strong back and abs are the foundation of all your daily movements as well as performance in sports.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Lie down on the floor on your back and bend your knees, placing your hands behind your head or across your chest. Some people find that crossing the arms over the chest helps them avoid pulling on the neck. However, if you find your neck is strained, you can keep one hand cradling the head. If you are putting your hands behind your head, your fingers should gently cradle your head. The idea is to support your neck without taking away from the work of your abs.
2. Pull your belly button towards your spine in preparation for the movement. Slowly contract your abdominals, bringing your shoulder blades about 1 or 2 inches off the floor.
1. Lie down on the floor on your back and bend your knees, placing your hands behind your head or across your chest. Some people find that crossing the arms over the chest helps them avoid pulling on the neck. However, if you find your neck is strained, you can keep one hand cradling the head. If you are putting your hands behind your head, your fingers should gently cradle your head. The idea is to support your neck without taking away from the work of your abs.
2. Pull your belly button towards your spine in preparation for the movement. Slowly contract your abdominals, bringing your shoulder blades about 1 or 2 inches off the floor.
3. Exhale as you come up and keep your neck straight, chin up. Imagine you're holding a tennis ball under your chin. That's about the angle you want to keep the chin the entire time.
Hold at the top of the movement for a few seconds, breathing continuously.
Slowly lower back down, but don't relax all the way.
Repeat for 15 to 20 repetitions with perfect form for each rep.
Common Mistakes
Doing crunches correctly is harder than it looks. Avoid these errors so they can be as effective as possible.
Pulling on the Neck
This not only strains the neck, but it takes away from working your abs. You want to originate the movement in your abs, not from your head. To keep your neck in proper alignment and not moving, place your fist under your chin.
Crunching Too High
The crunch is a subtle movement, lifting the shoulder blades just a few inches off the floor. Jerking the shoulders up adds momentum and reduces the effectiveness of the exercise. It takes time to build strength in the abs, so it's best to take your time and do the move slowly rather than using momentum to get the body up.
Relaxing Down to the Floor
It's easy to let your shoulders fall to the floor but a more effective approach is to keep the tension on the abs throughout the entire movement. You never want to completely relax the shoulders onto the floor.
Back Arch
In the past, it was recommended to keep your back flat against the floor throughout the entire movement. Now it is believed it is better to keep a neutral spine. That simply means your spine is in the strongest position to support you.
A quick way to find it is to rock the pelvis back and then forward and then allow your pelvis to relax somewhere between those two extremes. If your back arches too much, that may mean your abs need time to build strength. Try propping your feet on a step or platform to give your back some support.
Reduce Belly Fat
If your goal is having flat abs or displaying your six-pack, the truth is that spot reduction just doesn't work. In addition to building your six-pack muscles, you will need exercises that burn fat.2 When you exercise, your body draws energy from the entire body, not just the part you're working. High-intensity interval training has been shown to target belly fat.
If you're new to HIIT training, start with beginner interval training and work your way up to more advanced training. Lifting weights not only helps you lose body fat, but it can also specifically help you lose belly fat. Studies have shown that people who lift weights along with doing cardio have less belly fat than people who don't.
Examine your diet. You've probably heard that flat abs are made in the kitchen and there's a reason for that saying. Often your diet is where you can make the most progress with losing belly fat. Start by getting an idea of how many calories you need and then keep a food diary to track your eating habits.
Modifications and Variations
The crunch can be used by all levels of exercisers. Additionally, there are many options available to customize this exercise to fit your individual needs.
Need a Modification?
While crunches are fine, there are plenty of other effective ab exercises. Some of the best exercises for your core are done using your entire body, not just your abs. Options include:
Reverse woodchops with the band
Side bends with a medicine ball
Overhead squats
Med ball rotations with static lunges
Standing side crunch
It's great to incorporate exercises into your routine that work the abs naturally. For example, compound exercises like squats with an overhead press or pushups with a side plank almost always put quite a bit of emphasis on the core. In addition, the more muscles you work during an exercise, the more functional that exercise is and the more calories you burn.
Up for a Challenge?
Crunches have been the mainstay of ab workouts for decades. They target the rectus abdominis, the six-pack muscle that runs along the front of the torso. Building this muscle is one part of developing your core muscles for stability and performance. Crunches can be part of a core strength workout or a total body workout.
Benefits
The rectus abdominis muscle flexes to bring your shoulders towards your hips. As one of the major core muscles, it provides stability for the body.1 A strong back and abs are the foundation of all your daily movements as well as performance in sports.
To add variation, bring your knees in at the same time you lift your upper body off the floor (full body crunch). To make it more difficult, balance on an exercise ball, or hold a weight at your chest. Here are some more common crunch variations:
Bicycle crunch exercise: This ab exercise generally ranks at the top of the list of best ab exercises if done properly.
Slowly lower back down, but don't relax all the way.
Repeat for 15 to 20 repetitions with perfect form for each rep.
Common Mistakes
Doing crunches correctly is harder than it looks. Avoid these errors so they can be as effective as possible.
Pulling on the Neck
This not only strains the neck, but it takes away from working your abs. You want to originate the movement in your abs, not from your head. To keep your neck in proper alignment and not moving, place your fist under your chin.
Crunching Too High
The crunch is a subtle movement, lifting the shoulder blades just a few inches off the floor. Jerking the shoulders up adds momentum and reduces the effectiveness of the exercise. It takes time to build strength in the abs, so it's best to take your time and do the move slowly rather than using momentum to get the body up.
Relaxing Down to the Floor
It's easy to let your shoulders fall to the floor but a more effective approach is to keep the tension on the abs throughout the entire movement. You never want to completely relax the shoulders onto the floor.
Back Arch
In the past, it was recommended to keep your back flat against the floor throughout the entire movement. Now it is believed it is better to keep a neutral spine. That simply means your spine is in the strongest position to support you.
A quick way to find it is to rock the pelvis back and then forward and then allow your pelvis to relax somewhere between those two extremes. If your back arches too much, that may mean your abs need time to build strength. Try propping your feet on a step or platform to give your back some support.
Reduce Belly Fat
If your goal is having flat abs or displaying your six-pack, the truth is that spot reduction just doesn't work. In addition to building your six-pack muscles, you will need exercises that burn fat.2 When you exercise, your body draws energy from the entire body, not just the part you're working. High-intensity interval training has been shown to target belly fat.
If you're new to HIIT training, start with beginner interval training and work your way up to more advanced training. Lifting weights not only helps you lose body fat, but it can also specifically help you lose belly fat. Studies have shown that people who lift weights along with doing cardio have less belly fat than people who don't.
Examine your diet. You've probably heard that flat abs are made in the kitchen and there's a reason for that saying. Often your diet is where you can make the most progress with losing belly fat. Start by getting an idea of how many calories you need and then keep a food diary to track your eating habits.
Modifications and Variations
The crunch can be used by all levels of exercisers. Additionally, there are many options available to customize this exercise to fit your individual needs.
Need a Modification?
While crunches are fine, there are plenty of other effective ab exercises. Some of the best exercises for your core are done using your entire body, not just your abs. Options include:
Reverse woodchops with the band
Side bends with a medicine ball
Overhead squats
Med ball rotations with static lunges
Standing side crunch
It's great to incorporate exercises into your routine that work the abs naturally. For example, compound exercises like squats with an overhead press or pushups with a side plank almost always put quite a bit of emphasis on the core. In addition, the more muscles you work during an exercise, the more functional that exercise is and the more calories you burn.
Up for a Challenge?
Crunches have been the mainstay of ab workouts for decades. They target the rectus abdominis, the six-pack muscle that runs along the front of the torso. Building this muscle is one part of developing your core muscles for stability and performance. Crunches can be part of a core strength workout or a total body workout.
Benefits
The rectus abdominis muscle flexes to bring your shoulders towards your hips. As one of the major core muscles, it provides stability for the body.1 A strong back and abs are the foundation of all your daily movements as well as performance in sports.
To add variation, bring your knees in at the same time you lift your upper body off the floor (full body crunch). To make it more difficult, balance on an exercise ball, or hold a weight at your chest. Here are some more common crunch variations:
Bicycle crunch exercise: This ab exercise generally ranks at the top of the list of best ab exercises if done properly.
Vertical leg crunch: This version can be a challenge for the lower back if done improperly; make sure you do it right by having a trainer check your form.
Long arm crunch: This exercise is another version of a favorite exercise that almost anyone can start doing.
Reverse crunch: Get some extra challenge by kicking up the feet with the torso holding steady.
Crossover crunch: This exercise is especially good for the obliques.
Safety and Precautions
If you have any back or neck problems, talk to your doctor or physical therapist about whether crunches are appropriate for you. If not done with proper form, they can compress the spine and stress the neck. Avoid crunches after the first trimester of pregnancy, as soon as the belly expands.
reprinted from verywellfit.com
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