Reverse Crunches
Overview
This is a great exercise for your abdominal muscles. Abs are a paired muscle that run vertically down your abdomen, from just below your pecs, down to your pubic crest.
Tendinous intersections cross your abs horizontally, which is what gives you the six or eight pack look. Abs are the anterior part of your core muscles, and help keep you upright.
Instructions
To begin, lie down on your back. Raise your shoulders, but keep your neck relaxed.
Lift your legs to a vertical position, then bend at the knees until your lower leg is about parallel to the floor. This is your starting position.
Exhale as you crunch, bringing your elbows up and even bringing your knees slightly in.
Inhale as you relax, even extending your legs slightly as you return to your starting position.
Tips
A common mistake that occurs with most variations on crunches is placing your hands behind your head or neck. That puts strain on your spine. Either cross your arms across your chest, or put your hands at the side of your head.
You should be able to do three sets of 12 reps. If you’re more experienced, increase the reps to 15.
Doing the same exercise over and over can be repetitive, even with an old standby like crunches. Doing variations, such as reverse crunches, can keep you from getting used to one workout or another. Thanks for watching!
