Twisting Crunch
Also known as: Cross Crunch, Cross-Body Crunch, Oblique Crunch
Core
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Description
A floor crunch with rotation that works the obliques along with the rectus abdominis. Lying on your back with knees bent and hands behind your head, you curl your shoulders up and bring one elbow toward the opposite knee, alternating sides on every rep.
How to Perform
- Lie on your back on a mat with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
- Place your hands behind your head with your elbows out to the sides.
- Tighten your abs and press your lower back lightly into the floor.
- Exhale and curl your head and shoulders off the floor, rotating your torso to bring one elbow toward the opposite knee.
- Pause briefly, then inhale and lower your upper back and head to the floor with control.
- Repeat to the other side and keep alternating until you finish the set.
What Muscles Work
Primary Muscle:
Tips
- Think of bringing your ribs toward the opposite hip; the elbow does not need to touch the knee.
- Curl up only until your upper back leaves the floor. Sitting all the way up turns it into a sit-up.
- Keep a fist-sized space between your chin and chest so your neck stays relaxed.
- Hold the top for a moment and squeeze your obliques hard before you lower.
- To make it harder, take three seconds to lower or hold the top for two seconds.
Common Mistakes
- Pulling the head forward with the hands instead of lifting with the abs
- Moving only the elbow across while the shoulders stay on the floor
- Arching the lower back away from the floor
- Jerking up with momentum instead of curling up smoothly
- Dropping back to the floor without control
- Letting the knees fall to the side or the feet lift as you twist
- Holding your breath during the set
Recommended Exercises
Explore exercises related to Twisting Crunch for abs training and similar movement patterns.
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