How to do it
Keep your chest lifted and elbows wide open throughout each crunch.
- 1
Sit on the ground with your legs bent and feet flat on the floor.
- 2
Lean back slightly and place your hands behind your head.
- 3
Lift your feet off the ground slightly for balance.
- 4
Crunch to one side, bringing your elbow towards your hip while keeping the other side still.
- 5
Return to the center and then crunch to the other side.
- 6
Alternate sides for the desired number of repetitions.
Expert tip
Focus on contracting your oblique muscles during the crunch rather than pulling with your neck or arms.
Common mistakes
- ✕Letting the feet drop back to the floor
- ✕Crunching forward instead of to the side
- ✕Swinging the elbow up toward the hip