
If you do, you have the option of grabbing the bench behind your head. You can also do reverse crunches on a bench - flat or incline (harder). If lifting your head up causes any neck strain, just let your head relax on the floor. Lifting your head off the floor has a similar effect - you'll feel more abdominal contraction (and if you lower your head back on to the floor, you'll feel a slight release of tension). This keeps your abdominals activated and your hip flexors deactivated.

This maneuver will cradle your hips and tilt the bottom of your pelvis slightly upward (posterior pelvic tilt). An optional form tweak is to put your hands underneath your hips/butt. The basic reverse crunch is performed on the floor with your arms by your sides and hands flat on the floor. You can also place a medicine ball between your knees for a small amount of extra resistance.Ī more advanced version of the reverse crunch can also be done lying on top of a swiss ball.

Other ways you can add resistance include hooking up a cable to your ankles, then you have an entire weight stack to work with. Return only to the starting 90-90 position.

The primary mover in the reverse crunch is the rectus abdominis. Pause at the top and slowly lower yourself back into starting position.The reverse crunch is one of a handful of exercises that works the entire abdominal wall, with emphasis on the lower abdominals.Ībdominal exercises where your lower body moves toward your upper body, tilting your pelvis to the posterior is what activates the lower section of the abs, and this is the exact movement involved in the reverse crunch

This is your starting position.Ģ.Brace your core and raise your hips and knees toward your head bringing your lower back off the bench. Bend the knees and bring them toward your chest stopping when your hips and thighs form a 90-degree angle. Lie on your back on the incline bench and hold on to the horizontal timber that runs across the top of the bench, near to your head. Exhaling, bring yourself back up to your starting position with your body at about 45 degreesġ. Lower yourself in a slow and controlled manner down to the bench but don’t let your back touch the platform.Ĥ. Position yourself with your knees bent, hands at the side of your headģ. Place feet over the top timber pole, to ensure you dont slide downĢ. INCLINED CRUNCH BENCH/REVERSE CRUNCH (CORE ZONE)ġ.
