Cable Seated Crunch

The cable crunch done seated on a bench at a high pulley; with the hips pinned on the bench, only the spine can curl.

How to do it

Setup

Seated on a bench by a high pulley, feet planted, rope or handle held at the sides of the head.

Steps

Curl the ribs down toward the thighs.
Keep the hips seated and the arms fixed at the head.
Return upright until the abs stretch, the stack still loaded.

Common mistakes

Rocking from the hips: the seat holds the pelvis; only the spine moves. Pulling the handle down with the arms: they stay hooked at the head. Weight so heavy the reps get short: go lighter and curl fully.

Breathing

Exhale on the crunch, inhale returning.