The main purpose of the crunch is to strengthen the abdominal muscles by challenging the abdominal group. Here I will discuss what the abdominal group is, the common pitfalls, and some strength training exercises for that area of the body.
Turn the television on at any time of the day or night and you will most likely be inundated with a number of infomercials for abdominal exercise machines that promise to strengthen your abdominals and trim your waist in no time.
While the ab-craze seems to be the new American pastime, the average person’s midsection still looks more like an airbag than a washboard.
The main purpose of the crunch is to strengthen the abdominal muscles by challenging the abdominal group: the rectus abdominus muscles (two thin strips of muscle that extend from the breastbone to the pelvis), and the three deep layers of muscle that flank it.
The crunch is a multiple-joint motion exercise designed to target the abdominals, particularly the rectus abdominus. Equal contractions from the obliques assist in providing a straight flexion of the trunk. Any combination of these muscular contractions can be performed to change which part of the abdominals will be targeted.
Learn how to get ripped abs and a sixpack with this awesome ab exercise workout!