Love the Crunch

by WiredBerries Editors — March 24, 2008

You don't need a new-age plastic contraption from the latest infomercial to get great abs. A study from San Diego State University compared common ab exercises to determine which actually work to strengthen your abs. Turns out that the bicycle crunch ranked highest. This easy exercise stimulates your rectus abdominus as well as the internal and external obliques; it can be done anywhere and requires no special equipment. Simply lie on your back with your hands behind your head. With your lower back firm to the floor, bring your legs off the ground at a 45-degree angle. Then simply bend your knee to touch your right knee to your left elbow, straighten your leg, and touch your left knee to your right elbow, and repeat. There's no need for speed - slow, precise movements will give you a good workout and keep your back safe. A strong flat tummy is just a few crunches away.