Exercise guide

Crunch

The Crunch targets the abdominal muscles by flexing the spine in a short, controlled range of motion.

Category
Bodyweight
Difficulty
Beginner
Movement
Isolation
Bodyweight
Yes
How to

How to do the Crunch

  1. 01

    Lie flat on your back with knees bent and feet on the floor.

  2. 02

    Place your hands lightly behind your head or across your chest.

  3. 03

    Brace your core and press your lower back into the floor.

  4. 04

    Lift your shoulders off the ground by contracting your abs.

  5. 05

    Pause briefly at the top.

  6. 06

    Lower back down slowly without fully relaxing.

Performance tips

Cues that matter

  • Move through your upper spine, not your hips
  • Avoid pulling on your neck
  • Keep constant tension on your abs throughout
Muscles

Muscles worked

Common questions

Frequently asked

What muscles does the Crunch work?

The Crunch primarily targets the Abs.

Is the Crunch a compound or isolation exercise?

The Crunch is an isolation exercise, meaning it focuses on a single muscle group through one joint movement.

What equipment do I need for the Crunch?

The Crunch is a bodyweight exercise. No equipment is needed.

What difficulty level is the Crunch?

The Crunch is rated as beginner difficulty. It is suitable for those new to resistance training.

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