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Exercise 0634 · REF szIn2UK

Negative Crunch exercise animation

Negative Crunch

Category
Waist
Equipment
Body Weight
Target
Abs

The negative crunch emphasizes the lowering phase of the movement, controlling the descent slowly rather than dropping back down after the lift. That slow eccentric is where most of the actual muscle-building stimulus in a crunch comes from, so this variation front-loads exactly that.

How to Do the Negative Crunch

  1. Lie 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. Engaging your abs, slowly lift your upper body off the ground, curling forward until your torso is at a 45-degree angle.
  4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your upper body back down to the starting position.
  5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Muscles Worked

The Negative Crunch primarily targets the Abs, with Hip Flexors as the primary synergist muscle group.

More Waist Exercises

3/4 Sit-Up 3/4 Sit-Up Body Weight · Abs 45° Side Bend 45° Side Bend Body Weight · Abs Air Bike Air Bike Body Weight · Abs Alternate Heel Touchers Alternate Heel Touchers Body Weight · Abs Arm Slingers Hanging Bent Knee Legs Arm Slingers Hanging Bent Knee Legs Body Weight · Abs Arm Slingers Hanging Straight Legs Arm Slingers Hanging Straight Legs Body Weight · Abs

More Abs Exercises

Arms Overhead Full Sit-Up (male) Arms Overhead Full Sit-Up (male) Body Weight · Abs Assisted Hanging Knee Raise Assisted Hanging Knee Raise Assisted · Abs Assisted Hanging Knee Raise With Throw Down Assisted Hanging Knee Raise With Throw Down Assisted · Abs Assisted Lying Leg Raise With Lateral Throw Down Assisted Lying Leg Raise With Lateral Throw Down Assisted · Abs Assisted Lying Leg Raise With Throw Down Assisted Lying Leg Raise With Throw Down Assisted · Abs Assisted Motion Russian Twist Assisted Motion Russian Twist Medicine Ball · Abs

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 Negative Crunch work?
The Negative Crunch primarily targets the abs, with the hip flexors as the main supporting muscle group.
What equipment do I need for the Negative Crunch?
The Negative Crunch is done with no equipment — just body weight.
What's a good alternative to the Negative Crunch?
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.