Crunch - Fingers to Toes Alternate

Recommendations: 2-3 Sets, 10-15 Reps, 10-20 Wght

★★★☆☆

Abdominals Strength Body Only Gym

Purpose: Crunch exercises strengthen the upper abdominal muscles.

Benefits: Crunch exercises will give you a well-defined mid-section.

Lie on an exercise mat with your legs straight out. Your lower back is pressed against the floor. Your arms are over your head. This is the starting position. Slowly raise your right shoulder and upper back from the floor. At the same time raise your right leg, keeping it straight, and touch your fingers to your toes. Exhale during this movement. Hold this position for 2-3 seconds. Slowly return to the starting position. Inhale during this movement. Slowly raise your left shoulder and upper back from the floor. At the same time raise your left leg, keeping it straight, and touch your fingers to your toes. Exhale during this movement. Hold this position for 2-3 seconds. Slowly return to the starting position. Inhale during this movement. Repeat for the recommended number of repetitions.


The abs can be divided into the abdominals themselves and the obliques. The obliques are the outer abs and are used in twisting movements. For the sake of exercising, the abdominals are sometimes divided into upper abs and lower abs (this is not a technical division but something for exercising). Both upper and lower abs are used in straight line ab exercises while the upper abs are also involved in twisting movements.

Step 1

Lie on your back on the floor, legs straight, arms above your head.

crunch-fingers-to-toes-alternate-step-0

Lie on an exercise mat with your legs straight out. Your lower back is pressed against the floor. Your arms are over your head. This is the starting position.

Step 2

Slowly raise your right shoulder and upper back and touch your fingers to your right toes. Pause.

crunch-fingers-to-toes-alternate-step-1

Slowly raise your right shoulder and upper back from the floor. At the same time raise your right leg, keeping it straight, and touch your fingers to your toes. Exhale during this movement. Hold this position for 2-3 seconds.

Step 3

Return to the starting position.

crunch-fingers-to-toes-alternate-step-2

Slowly return to the starting position. Inhale during this movement. Lie on an exercise mat with your legs straight out. Your lower back is pressed against the floor. Your arms are over your head.

Step 4

Slowly raise your left shoulder and upper back and touch your fingers to your left toes. Pause.

crunch-fingers-to-toes-alternate-step-3

Slowly raise your left shoulder and upper back from the floor. At the same time raise your left leg, keeping it straight, and touch your fingers to your toes. Exhale during this movement. Hold this position for 2-3 seconds.

Step 5

Return to the starting position.

crunch-fingers-to-toes-alternate-step-4

Slowly return to the starting position. Inhale during this movement. Lie on an exercise mat with your legs straight out. Your lower back is pressed against the floor. Your arms are over your head.