Cross-Body Crunch

Body region

• Core

Muscles

Main

• Rectus Abdominis
• External Oblique
• Internal Oblique

Helps

• Iliopsoas

Holds

• Transversus Abdominis

Technique

1. Lie on your back with knees bent and fingertips lightly behind your head.
2. Curl your shoulders off the floor and bring one knee in toward your chest.
3. Rotate the torso to bring the opposite elbow toward that knee.
4. Return to the start and repeat to the other side.

Cues

• Rotate from the ribs; the elbow follows the shoulder.
• Keep the lower back on the floor.

Common mistakes

• Pulling the head forward with the hands.
• Moving only the elbow without turning the torso.
• Going fast and losing control.

Alternatives

• Crunch
• Oblique Crunch