Dumbbell ab crunch

Category

Core

Difficulty

Intermediate

Equipment

Dumbbells

Primary muscles

Rectus Abdominis

Secondary muscles

Deltoids, Iliopsoas, Internal, External Obliques

How to do it

1. Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor, hip-width apart. Hold a dumbbell with both hands striaght over your chest.
2. Lift your head, shoulders, and upper back off the floor by contracting your abdominal muscles.
3. Raise the dumbbell towards the ceiling as you perform the crunch, keeping your arms straight. Pause for a moment at the top of the movement, squeezing your abs.
4. Slowly lower your upper body back to the starting position, keeping control of the movement. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Form tips

• Keep your lower back pressed against the floor throughout the exercise to avoid straining it.
• Avoid using your neck muscles to lift your head; focus on using your abdominal muscles.
• Breathe out as you lift your upper body and breathe in as you lower it.