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Abs exercise · body weight

Negative Crunch

The negative crunch is a bodyweight exercise that targets the abs, with the hip flexors assisting.

Animated demonstration of the negative crunch
Negative Crunch — demonstration
Target muscle
Abs
Also works
Hip flexors
Equipment
Body weight
Body part
Waist

How to do the negative crunch

  1. Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground.
  2. Place your hands behind your head with your elbows pointing outwards.
  3. Engaging your abs, slowly lift your upper body off the ground, curling forward until your torso is at a 45-degree angle.
  4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your upper body back down to the starting position.
  5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Sets and reps

Start with 3 sets of 10–15 reps, resting 45–60 seconds. When every set feels easy, add reps, slow the lowering phase or move to a harder variation.

Muscles worked

The main muscle is the abs. The hip flexors work as secondary muscles. See all ab exercises or every bodyweight exercise.

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