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Toe Touch Crunch
PullIsolationBodyweightBeginner
Muscles worked
Front
Abdominals
Instructions
- 1To begin, lie down on the floor or an exercise mat with your back pressed against the floor. Your arms should be lying across your sides with the palms facing down.
- 2Your legs should be touching each other. Slowly elevate your legs up in the air until they are almost perpendicular to the floor with a slight bend at the knees. Your feet should be parallel to the floor.
- 3Move your arms so that they are fully extended at a 45 degree angle from the floor. This is the starting position.
- 4While keeping your lower back pressed against the floor, slowly lift your torso and use your hands to try and touch your toes. Remember to exhale while perform this part of the exercise.
- 5Slowly begin to lower your torso and arms back down to the starting position while inhaling. Remember to keep your arms straight out pointing towards your toes.
- 6Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
table_chartRecommended sets and reps
These ranges vary depending on your training goal — adjust the load accordingly.
| Goal | Sets | Reps | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| boltStrength | 3–4 | 6–8 | 2–3 min |
| fitness_centerHypertrophy | 3–4 | 10–15 | 60 s |
| timerEndurance | 2–3 | 15–20 | 30–45 s |
About Toe Touch Crunch
The toe touch crunch combines a leg raise and a crunch into one movement, where you reach your hands toward your toes while the legs stay raised nearly vertical. This combination intensely works both the upper and lower abs simultaneously, a demanding exercise that maximizes the efficiency of your time on the floor.
check_circleBenefits
- check_circleSimultaneously works the upper and lower abs
- check_circleCombines two movements into one efficient exercise
- check_circleNo equipment needed
lightbulbExecution tips
- lightbulbKeep the lower back pressed against the floor throughout
- lightbulbReach the arms toward the toes without straining the neck
- lightbulbKeep a slight knee bend for comfort
warningCommon mistakes
- warningLower back arching during the movement
- warningStraining the neck to try to reach farther
- warningLegs dropping too low, losing ab tension
helpFrequently asked questions
Do I really need to touch my toes?expand_more
No, what matters is the contraction motion, not actually reaching the toes if flexibility is lacking.
Is this exercise suitable for beginners?expand_more
It's a fairly demanding exercise; master the crunch and the leg raise separately first.
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