Crunch
Lying with knees bent, curl the shoulders toward the pelvis and lower slowly; lower back stays down.
How to do it
Setup
On your back, knees bent, feet flat; hands behind the head, elbows wide.
Steps
- Curl the ribs toward the hips, shoulders off the floor.
- Pause at the top.
- Lower the shoulders slowly; the lower back stays down.
Common mistakes
Pulling the head: hands carry zero; lead with the chest. Sitting all the way up: the hip flexors take over; it is a short curl. Fast bouncing: slow both directions.
Breathing
Exhale on the crunch, inhale lowering.
