Machine crunch

Providing resistance against the flexion of the spine, the machine crunch is a great exercise for those wishing to stimulate the muscles of the midsection, including the obliques and rectus abdominis. Providing changeable resistance, the machine crunch can be used by advanced trainers who have strong midsections, and also by those who wish to implement techniques such as drop sets, which require a quick change of resistance used.

The machine crunch will not provide stimulus for fat reduction of the midsection, instead providing the stress needed for gains in midsection strength and hypertrophy to occur. Fat loss is best achieved with the correct diet and cardiovascular training regime.

Performing machine crunches

• Set correct resistance on weight stack. Alter machine settings, if necessary.
• Sit on seat, place feet under feet supports, and place back against back support.
• Depending on the machine, place arms on arm pads, or place chest against lever pad.
• Keeping hips and lower body stationary, flex forward until peak contraction is reached.
• Slowly return back to starting position.
• Repeat for desired amount of repetitions.

Machine crunches courtesy of Fitness Uncovered - Bodybuilding & Fitness

Latest health and fitness news

• Drinking tap water can make you fat
• 8 in 10 men will be overweight by 2020
• Swine flu could return to the UK with a bang
• Risks of breast cancer higher for skinny girls
• All women have an inbuilt fear of getting fat

Latest quizzes and tests

• Back & shoulder pain quiz
• Test your blood pressure knowledge
• Test your cancer basics knowledge
• Will you get diabetes?
• Do you have a healthy prostate?