https://www.exercise.com/exercises/crunch

Crunch

Calisthenics / Beginner

7 ratings

My Performance

Sitewide Performance

  • All
  • Male
  • Female
  • 13 reps
    average reps
  • 50 reps
    best reps
  • 17
    times logged
  • #11
    popularity rank

Average Sitewide Crunch Reps

  • 18 reps
    average reps
  • 50 reps
    best reps
  • 12
    times logged
  • #18
    popularity rank

Average Male Crunch Reps

  • 0 reps
    average reps
  • 0 reps
    best reps
  • 0
    times logged
  • #9
    popularity rank

Average Female Crunch Reps

How to do Crunch:

Muscles Worked

Details

crunch is a calisthenics exercise that primarily targets the abs ...more

crunch is a calisthenics exercise that primarily targets the abs.

Learning proper crunch form is easy with the step by step crunch instructions, crunch tips, and the instructional crunch technique video on this page. crunch is a exercise for those with a beginner level of physical fitness and exercise experience. Watch the crunch video, learn how to do the crunch, and then be sure and browse through the crunch workouts on our workout plans page!

Tips

  1. Do not jerk your weight up. Focus on utilizing your abs to raise your body up.
  2. Move slowly and deliberately as you perform the exercise.
  3. Focus on "crunching" your abs. You are not doing a sit up where you are just trying to raise your torso off the ground. You want to form a C-shape with your body.

Variations

  1. Hold a weighted plate in your hands while performing the exercise.
  2. Perform on a Swiss ball to get a fuller range of motion and ease the pressure on your lower back.
  3. Hold your hands out in front of you instead of against your chest. However, do not swing your arms to propel your body up as you crunch, keep them stationary.

Other Names

  • Abdominal Crunch

Types

  • Force Type: N/A
  • Mechanics Type: Isolation

7 Reviews

  • bgodonus
    about 12 years ago
    #

    The all time classic ab exercise

  • JoelJonathan
    about 12 years ago
    #

    I have mixed feeling about the crunch. A lot of the newer research seems to recommend moving away from doing crunch/sit-up type movements and instead target the abs by doing exercises that require a stable core while you move your legs (i.e. hanging leg raises, dying bug, ball rollouts, etc.) This is definitely a staple of many people with much better abs than me and has been around a long time so I'll give it 3 stars.

  • lindepl1
    almost 11 years ago
    #

    Good form is essential, watch the instruction vid if you're not sure

  • jimiwikman
    over 10 years ago
    #

    My favorite ab excercise.

  • 05jaylee
    almost 9 years ago
    #

    Great exercise

  • Deflepliz
    about 8 years ago
    #

    As a beginner this exercise is best for abs, particularly after losing 9 stone in weight after being veryn severely obese / unfit / unflexible, other comments from users sugesting the use of ball rollouts terrifies me / puts me off. This exercise is best.

  • Coldblood
    almost 7 years ago
    #

    Is it good i can do 80 and im 16

Tips

  1. Do not jerk your weight up. Focus on utilizing your abs to raise your body up.
  2. Move slowly and deliberately as you perform the exercise.
  3. Focus on "crunching" your abs. You are not doing a sit up where you are just trying to raise your torso off the ground. You want to form a C-shape with your body.

Variations

  1. Hold a weighted plate in your hands while performing the exercise.
  2. Perform on a Swiss ball to get a fuller range of motion and ease the pressure on your lower back.
  3. Hold your hands out in front of you instead of against your chest. However, do not swing your arms to propel your body up as you crunch, keep them stationary.

Other Names

  • Abdominal Crunch

Types

  • Force Type: N/A
  • Mechanics Type: Isolation