Crunch
What is a Crunch?
Crunches are one of the most common exercises for your abdominal muscles. Similar to a sit-up, crunches involve lifting the upper body up off the floor or mat using your core. It’s important to not crunch so high that the exercise becomes a sit-up, because that will take emphasis off of your abdominals and onto your hip flexors.
How do you do a Crunch?
Step 1
Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor, hip-width apart. Make sure your lower back is pressed to the mat and there is no space between your back and the mat. Place your hands behind your head so your thumbs are behind your ears.
Step 2
Pulling your abs inward, curl up and forward so your head, neck and shoulder blades are lifted off of the floor. Always lead with your chest as if there is a band on it, pulling you upwards. Do not lead with elbows or chin. Repeat the exercise.
How do you modify a Crunch?
Advanced Crunch
Crunch for Weak Wrists
What are the benefits of a Crunch?
Core Strength
Full-body Strength
Cardio
Expert opinion
Having tight six-pack abs may be wonderful to look at, but there are so many other benefits to having a strong core.
Everything we do—sit, reach, stand, pull on our leggings etc.—is all done from the core. Take a few minutes every day to keep it tight, healthy and strong, and you will have less back pain, better posture, and feel and look better in your clothes!