Heel Touches

A lying core exercise in which you crunch slightly to one side and reach the hand toward the heel, then alternate sides. It trains the obliques and the upper abdominals with the lower back kept on the floor.

How to do it

1. Lie on your back with the knees bent and the feet flat on the floor, about hip-width apart.
2. Lift the head and shoulders slightly off the floor and reach the arms down along your sides.
3. Crunch to one side and reach that hand toward the heel on the same side.
4. Return to the center and reach toward the opposite heel.
5. Keep alternating sides in a smooth rhythm while the lower back stays on the floor.
6. Continue for the desired number of repetitions.

Tips

• Keep the neck long and the chin off the chest; lead with the ribcage, not the head.
• Keep each reach small and controlled; the shoulder blades only just clear the floor.
• Keep the feet planted and the lower back pressed into the floor throughout.

Muscles

Primary: Obliques, Abs