How to do the Weighted Crunch
Lie flat on your back with your feet flat on the ground or resting on a bench with your knees bent at a 90 degree angle.
Hold a weight to your chest, or you may hold it extended above your torso. This will be your starting position.
Now, exhale and slowly begin to roll your shoulders off the floor. Your shoulders should come up off the floor about 4 inches while your lower back remains on the floor.
At the top of the movement, flex your abdominals and hold for a brief pause.
Then inhale and slowly lower yourself back down to the starting position.
Sets and reps
| Goal | Sets | Reps | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muscle growth | 2–4 | 10–15 | 1 min |
| Muscular endurance | 2–3 | 15–25 | 45 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
The abs flex your spine and stop it from arching. Mix crunching moves (crunches, leg raises) with anti-extension work (planks, rollouts).
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