Crunches

A basic abdominal exercise focusing on the rectus abdominis.

How to do it

1. Lie on your back with knees bent and hands behind your head.
2. Curl your upper body toward your knees, lifting your shoulder blades off the floor.
3. Squeeze your abs at the top.
4. Lower with control.
5. Repeat.

Tips

• Avoid pulling on your neck with your hands.
• Exhale as you curl up and inhale on the way down.
• Keep your lower back pressed into the floor throughout.

Muscles

Primary: Abs

Secondary: Obliques