Neck pulls forward — head leads the crunch
SCM and scalenes assist; rectus abdominis is underloaded.
Overactive muscles
SCMScalenesSuboccipitals
Corrective work
Foam RollSuboccipitals (lacrosse ball)↗StretchSCM / scalene stretch↗Core · Core
Crunch (Bodyweight)
Coaching cues
- Lie on your back; knees bent; hands lightly behind the head
- Curl the spine upward — chest toward knees; chin stays off the chest
- Exhale at the top; pause and squeeze
- Lower slowly — 2 to 3 seconds on the descent
Common faults 2
Hip flexors drive the movement — no spinal flexion
Body rises without the spine curling; hip flexion substitutes.
Overactive muscles
Hip flexorsRectus femoris
Corrective work
Foam RollHip flexors↗StretchHalf-kneeling hip flexor stretch↗