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Last updated February 2, 2026
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abs
Crunch - Kneeling (Cable)
Kneel facing the cable tower holding a rope behind your neck. Crunch your body down, trying to touch your elbows to your thighs. Use your abs, not your hips.
Quick facts
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Mechanic
- Isolation
- Force
- Pull
- Type
- Strength
- Injury Risk
- Low
- Hypertrophy
- Low
- Calorie Burn
- Medium
Muscle focus
Primary and secondary muscle groups targeted by this movement.
Primary
abs
Secondary
deep abs / core
Equipment & setup
What you need and how to position yourself before starting.
Equipment
cable
Movement pattern
Bilateral
Posture
Kneeling
Tracking parameters
repsweight
Step-by-step instructions
Follow these cues to master proper technique and stay safe through every rep.
- Step 1Setup
- Attach a rope or handle to the high pulley of a cable machine.
- Kneel on the floor facing the machine, ensuring that your knees are comfortable and stable.
- Step 2Grab the Handle
- Reach up to grab the handle or rope with both hands, keeping your arms extended above your head.
- Ensure that your grip is firm and your elbows are slightly bent.
- Step 3Position Your Body
- Kneel with your hips slightly forward and your core engaged to stabilize your body.
- Keep your back straight and avoid arching or rounding your spine.
- Step 4Engage Your Core
- Tighten your abdominal muscles as you prepare to perform the crunch.
- Focus on maintaining a neutral spine and avoiding any excessive movement in your lower back.
- Step 5Perform the Crunch
- Pull the handle down towards your knees by contracting your abs, curling your torso forward.
- Keep your hips and knees stationary while focusing on using your core to initiate the movement.
- Step 6Return to Start
- Slowly return to the starting position by extending your torso back to the original kneeling position.
- Maintain control throughout the movement to avoid using momentum.
- Step 7Repeat
- Repeat the crunch for the desired number of repetitions, ensuring that your form remains consistent.
- Step 8Finish the Exercise
- After completing your reps, carefully release the handle and stand up if necessary.
- Make sure to maintain good posture as you finish the exercise.