Basic Crunch

Among the many abdominal exercises made available to average individuals, the Basic Crunch is almost certainly one of the most well known and most widely utilized. The Basic Crunch is known for its ability to help participants flatten stomach muscles by strengthening and toning them. While most of us would claim to know quite well how to perform the Basic Crunch, it is actually important that the exercise be done correctly in order to ensure good results and to avoid injury or strain on the muscles and joints in the neck and back.

The right way to do a Basic Crunch begins with lying on one’s back with knees bent and hands behind the head. Most people know this. When lifting up and forward, individuals must contract their abs and flatten the curve of lower back against the floor. The shoulder blades only need to be lifted about one to two inches off the floor, and it is important that individuals not pull on their necks but instead keep their necks straight and keep their chins up. Finally, it is also important to keep one’s abdominal muscles contracted while slowly lowering the upper body back down to floor, repeating the motion over and over again in order to significantly flatten stomach regions.