Reverse Crunch
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the abs, needing no equipment.
Starting position
End position
How to Do Reverse Crunch
- Lie down on the floor with your legs fully extended and arms to the side of your torso with the palms on the floor. Your arms should be stationary for the entire exercise.
- Move your legs up so that your thighs are perpendicular to the floor and feet are together and parallel to the floor. This is the starting position.
- While inhaling, move your legs towards the torso as you roll your pelvis backwards and you raise your hips off the floor. At the end of this movement your knees will be touching your chest.
- Hold the contraction for a second and move your legs back to the starting position while exhaling.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Muscles Worked
Alternatives to Reverse Crunch
10 movements that train the same primary muscle, closest substitutes first — same kind of training, then variations of the movement itself, then a similar difficulty.
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1
Cable Reverse Crunch
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the abs, using a cable machine.
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2
Suspended Reverse Crunch
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the abs.
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3
Decline Reverse Crunch
A beginner compound strength exercise that works the abs, needing no equipment.
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4
Bosu Ball Cable Crunch With Side Bends
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the abs, using a cable machine.
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5
Cable Crunch
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the abs, using a cable machine.
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6
Cable Seated Crunch
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the abs, using a cable machine.
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7
Exercise Ball Crunch
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the abs, using an exercise ball.
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8
Kneeling Cable Crunch With Alternating Oblique Twists
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the abs, using a cable machine.
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9
Rope Crunch
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the abs, using a cable machine.
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10
Standing Rope Crunch
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the abs, using a cable machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What muscles do reverse crunch work?
Reverse Crunch primarily works the abs.
What equipment do I need for reverse crunch?
None. Reverse Crunch is a bodyweight movement you can do anywhere you have floor space.
Reverse Crunch: is it suitable for beginners?
Yes. Reverse Crunch is rated beginner. Movements you can learn in a session, with a low skill floor and a forgiving failure mode.
What can I do instead of reverse crunch?
Cable Reverse Crunch, Suspended Reverse Crunch, Decline Reverse Crunch train the same primary muscles and are listed with 7 more alternatives above.
Can Fitnit count my reverse crunch reps automatically?
Not automatically yet. Fitnit's AI rep counting covers push-ups, squats, dumbbell curls, crunches and pull-ups today; reverse crunch can be logged manually in the app, and tracked movements are added over time.
Photographs and step-by-step instructions from free-exercise-db, a public-domain exercise dataset. Muscle mapping and alternatives by Fitnit.
Track Your Reverse Crunch with AI
Fitnit automatically tracks push-ups, crunches, squats, pull-ups, and curls with advanced body tracking technology — and you can manually input any other workout too. Start free — Pro is $8.99/month.