Decline Crunch

What it is

This core exercise targets your abdominal muscles effectively, performed on a decline bench. You secure your legs and perform a crunch, isolating your entire abdominal wall. Focus on smooth, controlled movement to maximize engagement.

Technique tips

• Place hands lightly by your head; do not interlace fingers.
• Actively press your lower back into the bench throughout the movement.
• Lift your shoulders only a few inches; keep your lower back down.
• Exhale forcefully as you crunch up; inhale slowly on the descent.
• Pause briefly at the top to fully contract your abdominal muscles.
• Focus on a slow, controlled pace; avoid using any momentum.

How to track your progress

Log reps, and add the extra load if you wear a belt or a vest. Straddly counts your bodyweight in the estimated max, so added weight and extra reps both show up as progress, and new records are flagged during the session.