Crunches

Crunches, in the context of exercise, refer to a specific abdominal exercise that involves curling the torso upwards from a supine position (lying face-up with knees bent and feet flat on the floor), contracting the abdominal muscles. It's a core-strengthening exercise, often performed in repetitions to target and tone the rectus abdominis (the 'six-pack' muscles) as well as other core muscles like the obliques. The movement emphasizes controlled abdominal flexion rather than a full sit-up, reducing stress on the lower back. This exercise is a popular choice in fitness routines for improving core strength and stability.

Crunches meaning with examples

• To strengthen my core, I incorporated crunches into my daily workout routine. Performing three sets of 15 to 20 repetitions with each set, targeting the abdominal muscles directly. I focused on controlled movements to isolate the core, ensuring proper form.
• After a light warm-up I decided to add some variety to my ab workout by including several variations of crunches, like reverse and oblique crunches. This approach helped me to work different areas of my core for a more balanced result.
• The fitness instructor advised us to maintain a steady breathing pattern while performing crunches to maximize their effectiveness and prevent any strain. We were told to focus on the contraction of the abdominal muscles during the lifting portion.
• My physiotherapist prescribed a series of modified crunches following a lower back injury. The modified versions put less stress on the spine, while still effectively working my abdominal muscles to aid in a quick recovery.