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Exercise 0443 · REF jvp6DiD

Elbow-To-Knee exercise animation

Elbow-To-Knee

Category
Waist
Equipment
Body Weight
Target
Abs

A twisting crunch variation where the elbow reaches across to meet the opposite knee, elbow-to-knee trains the obliques through rotation rather than the straight spinal flexion a standard crunch uses. It's a bodyweight staple precisely because the twisting motion is hard to replicate without a cable or band.

How to Do the Elbow-To-Knee

  1. Start by lying flat on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground.
  2. Place your hands behind your head with your elbows pointing outwards.
  3. Engage your abs and lift your upper body off the ground, bringing your right elbow towards your left knee.
  4. At the same time, bring your left knee towards your right elbow, creating a twisting motion.
  5. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your upper body and extend your legs back to the starting position.
  6. Repeat the movement, this time bringing your left elbow towards your right knee and your right knee towards your left elbow.
  7. Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.

Muscles Worked

The Elbow-To-Knee primarily targets the Abs, with Obliques as the primary synergist muscle group.

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Equipment Alternatives

Don't have body weight? These target the same abs with different equipment.

Assisted Hanging Knee Raise Assisted Hanging Knee Raise Assisted · Abs Assisted Motion Russian Twist Assisted Motion Russian Twist Medicine Ball · Abs Band Alternating V-Up Band Alternating V-Up Band · Abs Barbell Press Sit-Up Barbell Press Sit-Up Barbell · Abs

FAQ

What muscles does the Elbow-To-Knee work?
The Elbow-To-Knee primarily targets the abs, with the obliques as the main supporting muscle group.
What equipment do I need for the Elbow-To-Knee?
The Elbow-To-Knee is done with no equipment — just body weight.
What's a good alternative to the Elbow-To-Knee?
If you don't have access to the space or setup it needs, the Assisted Hanging Knee Raise targets the same abs using assisted instead.