Exercise library · Abs

How to Do Crunch - Hands Overhead

Step-by-step instructions, muscles worked and workouts that use the crunch - hands overhead.

How to do it

1. Lie on the floor with your back flat and knees bent with around a 60-degree angle between the hamstrings and the calves.
2. Keep your feet flat on the floor and stretch your arms overhead with your palms crossed. This will be your starting position.
3. Curl your upper body forward and bring your shoulder blades just off the floor. At all times, keep your arms aligned with your head, neck and shoulder. Don't move them forward from that position. Exhale as you perform this portion of the movement and hold the contraction for a second.
4. Slowly lower down to the starting position as you inhale.
5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Form tips

• Start light and own the movement before adding weight.
• Control the lowering phase — don't drop into it.
• Keep breathing; exhale on the hardest part.
• Stop if you feel sharp pain (different from muscle burn).

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Gear for this exercise

Exercise matGrip and comfort for floor work, core and stretching.See it on Amazon →Doorway pull-up barThe cheapest way to train your back and biceps at home.See it on Amazon →

Exercise photos and instructions: free-exercise-db (public domain). Animation made from the real start and end photos.