Weighted Crunch
A resistance-based abdominal exercise designed to build muscle thickness. Adding weight forces the rectus abdominis to work harder against gravity for maximum hypertrophy.
Exercise Details
Setup
Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat. Hold a weight plate or dumbbell across your chest or extended above your shoulders with a firm, secure grip.
Instructions
1. Flex your abs to lift your shoulders off the floor while keeping the lower back grounded.
2. Exhale at the top.
3. Maintain a neutral spine and avoid tucking your chin.
4. Slowly lower back to the start.
5. Keep the weight steady.
Common Mistakes
1. Using arm strength to move the weight.
2. Lifting the lower back off the floor.
3. Jerky movements during the ascent.