How to do it
Exhale as you lift your shoulders and inhale as you lower.
- 1
Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
- 2
Hold a dumbbell with both hands straight above your chest.
- 3
Contract your abs to lift your shoulders off the floor, keeping your arms straight.
- 4
Pause at the top of the contraction, then slowly lower back down to the starting position.
Expert tip
Keep your arms straight and avoid using momentum to lift your torso. Focus on contracting your abs to perform the movement.
Common mistakes
- ✕Bending the elbows during the crunch
- ✕Yanking the head and neck upward
- ✕Lifting the lower back off the floor