Ab exercises

Cable Crunch

Also known as: Crunch à la poulie haute · Κοιλιακοί στην τροχαλία · kneeling cable crunch · rope crunch

Primary
Abs
Equipment
Cable
Level
Beginner
Type
Isolation
Suggested rest
1 min

How to do the Cable Crunch

  1. Attach the rope to a high pulley and kneel in front of it, holding the ends beside your head.

  2. Keep your hips still.

  3. Curl your torso down, bringing your elbows toward your thighs while squeezing your abs.

  4. Rise slowly without letting the weight pull you up.

Sets and reps

GoalSetsRepsRest
Muscle growth2–410–151 min
Muscular endurance2–315–2545 s

When you hit the top of the rep range on every set, add 2.5 kg (5 lb) next session and work back up.

Starting points from training research. Stop each set 1–3 reps short of failure.

Muscles worked

Primary

Abs

The abs flex your spine and stop it from arching. Mix crunching moves (crunches, leg raises) with anti-extension work (planks, rollouts).

Alternatives

Same muscles, similar movement: swap in one of these if the Cable Crunch doesn’t suit your gym or your joints.

Train smarter

Cable ab exercises