Dumbbell Straight-Arm Crunch
The crunch with a dumbbell held over the chest on straight arms, pushed toward the ceiling as the shoulders lift.
How to do it
Setup
On your back, knees bent, feet flat, one dumbbell held in both hands straight above the chest.
Steps
- Curl up and drive the bell straight toward the ceiling.
- Keep the arms locked; the abs do the lifting.
- Lower the shoulders slowly, bell still above the chest.
Common mistakes
Bell drifting toward the face or the knees: the path is straight up. Pressing with the arms: they are locked; the lift comes from the curl. Bouncing the shoulders off the floor: touch down softly between reps.
Breathing
Exhale on the crunch, inhale lowering.
