Abdominal Crunches

Muscles worked: Abs & Core

To do an abdominal crunch, lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet on the floor, tighten your stomach muscles, and lift your shoulders a short way off the floor until your shoulder blades clear it, then lower back down slowly.

Keep the movement small and controlled: lift only until your shoulder blades clear the floor, keep your chin off your chest, and lower back down slowly. If your neck starts doing the work, rest your hands lightly behind your head without pulling on it, and stop if you feel sharp pain.

How to do it

1. Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet on the floor.
2. Tighten your stomach muscles and lift your shoulders a short way off the floor.
3. Lift only until your shoulder blades clear the floor, keeping your chin off your chest.
4. Lower back down slowly.
5. If your neck starts doing the work, rest your hands lightly behind your head without pulling on it, and stop if you feel sharp pain.

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General fitness information only, not medical advice. Stop if an exercise causes pain, and talk to a doctor before starting a new workout routine if you have a health condition.