Leg Extension Crunch

A complex abdominal movement that combines a traditional crunch with leg extension. It emphasizes both the upper and lower rectus abdominis for total core development.

Exercise Details

Level
Beginner
Body Area
core
Type
core
Required Equipment
Target Muscle Groups
Primary
Secondary

Setup

Lie flat on your back with a neutral spine. Bring your knees up to a 90-degree angle (tabletop position) and place your hands lightly behind your ears.

Instructions

1. Simultaneously crunch your upper body forward and extend your legs straight out at a 45-degree angle.
2. Exhale forcefully at the peak.
3. Inhale as you return your knees to tabletop.
4. Keep your lower back pressed against the floor.

Common Mistakes

1. Arching the lumbar spine.
2. Kicking the legs too low.
3. Using neck strength instead of abdominal contraction.

Alternative Exercises

Wipers
Intermediate / Bodyweight-only / Abs / isolation
An advanced rotational core exercise targeting the obliques and transverse abdominis. It builds extreme rotational control and stability.
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Weighted Crunch
Intermediate / Dumbbells / Abs / core
A resistance-based abdominal exercise designed to build muscle thickness. Adding weight forces the rectus abdominis to work harder against gravity for maximum hypertrophy.
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