Crunch with Legs on Stability Ball — start position
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Crunch with Legs on Stability Ball — end position
End

Core / Beginner / Isolation (single joint)

Crunch with Legs on Stability Ball

A floor crunch with calves resting on a stability ball, targeting the rectus abdominis.

At a glance

Primary
Abs
Secondary
Obliques
Equipment
Stability ball
Movement pattern
Trunk flexion
Level
Beginner
Type
Core, Isolation (single joint)

How to do it

  1. Lie on your back with your calves resting on a stability ball, hips and knees bent about 90 degrees.
  2. Place your hands lightly beside your head.
  3. Curl your shoulders off the floor toward your pelvis by contracting your abs.
  4. Pause, then lower back down under control.

Tips

  • Do not pull on your neck.
  • Exhale as you crunch.

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Muscles worked

Neck (Front)Upper traps (Front)Front delts (Front)Side delts (Front)Chest (Front)Serratus anterior (Front)Biceps (Front)Forearms & grip (Front)Abs — primary (Front)Obliques — secondary (Front)Hip flexors (Front)Quads (Front)Adductors (Front)Shins (tibialis) (Front)Calves (Front)Outer shins (peroneals) (Front)Feet (arch & toes) (Front)Neck (Back)Upper traps (Back)Upper back (rhomboids, mid/lower traps) (Back)Rear delts (Back)Side delts (Back)Rotator cuff (Back)Lats (Back)Lower back (erectors) (Back)Triceps (Back)Forearms & grip (Back)Hip abductors (glute med) (Back)Glutes (Back)Hamstrings (Back)Adductors (Back)Calves (Back)
FrontBack
  • Primary: Abs
  • Secondary: Obliques

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Illustration: Everkinetic (everkinetic.com), CC BY-SA 4.0.