Starfish Crunch
CoreMuscles worked
obliquescorehip flexors
- Equipment
- No equipment
- Level
- Intermediate
- How much to do
- 8–12 reps per set.
How to do it
- Lie on your back with your arms and legs spread wide into a star shape.
- Brace your abs and keep your limbs long.
- Crunch up and reach one hand toward the opposite foot as it lifts to meet you.
- Lower back to the star shape with control.
- Alternate sides with each rep at a steady pace.
How to breathe
Breathe in as you lower, out as you push. Never hold your breath at the hardest point.
Common mistakes
Swinging into it. If momentum is doing the work, slow down until the muscle has to.
Rushing. Speed hides the range; slow down until the last rep looks like the first.
Giving one side more time than the other. Count both, and match the looser side to the tighter one.
Frequently asked questions
- Which muscles does Starfish Crunch work?
- Starfish Crunch mainly works your obliques and core. It also engages your hip flexors.
- What equipment do you need for Starfish Crunch?
- None — Starfish Crunch is a bodyweight move you can do anywhere.
- Is Starfish Crunch good for beginners?
- Starfish Crunch suits intermediate exercisers. Build a base first, then add reps.
- How many reps of Starfish Crunch should you do?
- 8–12 reps per set.