How to do a crunches arm straight

Setup:

1. Lying position: Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor, hip-width apart.
2. Arm position: Extend your arms straight up towards the ceiling, palms facing each other. Engage your core to keep your lower back pressed into the floor.

The Lift:

1. Initiate: Exhale as you engage your core and lift your upper body off the floor, reaching your chest towards your straight arms. Imagine initiating the movement with your belly button pulling inwards.
2. Squeeze the abs: Briefly hold at the top, focusing on squeezing your entire core.
3. Controlled descent: Inhale and slowly lower yourself back down to the starting position, maintaining control throughout.
4. Reset: Breathe and prepare for the next repetition.

Tips:

• Focus on core engagement: Initiate the movement with your core, not by pulling on your arms.
• Maintain a straight spine: Keep your spine long and avoid arching excessively at the lower back.
• Variations: Experiment with engaging your obliques by tilting your torso slightly to one side as you crunch up.