A great way to give your abdominal muscles a workout without the strain of full sit-ups, is to perform the alternative: abdominal crunches. Sit ups can leave your back aching and cause spinal complications to some people who either do sit-ups incorrectly, or simply do not have a strong core and back already. With crunches, the weight of your body isn’t flung onto your back alone, and allows for a person to do a larger number of repetitions. This easy step-by-step allows for a person to do adequate abdominal crunches.

1. Find either a smooth blanket to fold or a mat, such as a yoga mat.
2. Lay the mat or blanket on the ground in an area where you have lots of leg and arm room. The last thing you want is to be cramped in a bedroom with no space on the floor. So a living room or family room is ideal.
3. Position yourself so you are lying on your back on the mat, facing the ceiling.
4. Bring your knees up so that your feet are planted firmly on the ground while you are lying on your back. Imagine that your legs are creating a triangle shape with the ground.
5. Place your hand loosely behind your head. One of the things to avoid in toning exercises is unwanted tension. If you are clenching your hands too tightly behind your head, or locking your knees too tightly, you could cause yourself unwanted harm. So keep everything loose and relaxed.
6. With hands still behind your head, lift the upper half of your body up, as if you are trying to be face-to-face with your knees. You body shouldn’t be lifting too high, only at a 45-degree angle at most.
7. Once you have lifted your body to a 45-degree angle, which you should NOT rush, hold the position for five seconds. Remember to breathe as calmly as possible.
8. After five seconds, slowly lower your upper half of your body again to the ground. Take a three second rest and then repeat.

REMEMBER: do not do any number of reps you aren’t comfortable with. If doing crunches causes sharp pain in your back, stomach, or neck, stop the exercise”

Related posts:

1. How to do Side Crunches
2. How To Do Leg Raises
3. How to Get Six Pack Abs and Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease
4. How To Do Knee Raises
5. How to Build Stamina