Exercise:

Crunches

Target Muscle:

Upper Abs

Secondary Muscle:

Lower Abs, Obliques

Equipment Needed:

None

Proper Execution:

Lay on the floor with your legs bent and rest them on a stationary object so that your legs for a 90 degree angle. Place your hands behind your head and keep your lower back rounded and in contact with the floor. Exhale and curl your body up until your abs are fully contracted. Pause briefly at the top, squeeze your abs together and then lower your body back to the starting position

Tips:

Make sure not to arch your lower back during this exercise but instead keep it rounded and in contact with the floor at all times. Also make sure not to pull on the back of your head with your hands and lift your whole body up. The key here is to stimulate your abs, so really focus on contracting them fully at the top of the motion and lowering your body under control. You can hold a plate in front of your face to add more resistance if necessary. You can also perform this exercise lying on a seated bench with your legs raised in the air.