EXERCISE GUIDE

Crunch

The Crunch is a beginner bodyweight abdominal flexion exercise that primarily trains the abs. It is useful for training the abs through controlled spinal flexion.

Primary muscles
abs
Secondary muscles
None
Equipment
bodyweight
Difficulty
beginner

TARGET AREA

Muscles worked

Primary muscles

abs

Secondary muscles

None

THE MOVEMENT

How to perform

  1. Lie on the back with the knees bent and feet supported.
  2. Set the ribs down and keep the neck relaxed.
  3. Curl the upper torso toward the pelvis until the abs are fully shortened.
  4. Lower slowly until the shoulder blades approach the floor.

IRONYOU / CORE

Core cues

  • Think about bringing the ribs toward the pelvis rather than pulling the head forward.
  • Keep the movement small and controlled instead of using momentum.
  • Exhale through the top of the rep if it helps you contract the abs.

STAY SHARP

Common mistakes

  • Pulling on the neck or leading with the head.
  • Using hip momentum instead of curling the trunk.
  • Rushing through the bottom and top positions.

YOUR PROGRESS

Your strength

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IRONYOU RANK SYSTEM

Standards

Numeric standards are not published

Your IronYou rank can be calculated for this exercise, but numeric public strength standards are not currently published.

FULL CALCULATOROpen the full Crunch calculator

KEEP EXPLORING

Variations

  • Related variations: Cable Crunch, Machine Crunch, and Bodyweight Crunch.
  • Choose the version that matches your equipment, joint comfort, and the movement you can repeat consistently.

EARLY ACCESS

Track Crunch in IronYou.

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