Stability Ball Crunch

Use the curved surface of an exercise ball to train the abs through an extended range of motion.

Primary muscle

Abs

Primary musclesRectus abdominis

Secondary musclesInternal and external obliques, Iliopsoas

Equipment

Exercise Ball

How to perform Stability Ball Crunch

Follow the sequence in order, paying attention to the starting position, movement path, and finish described in each step.

For Stability Ball Crunch, sit on the ball, walk the feet forward until the lower back is supported near the top, and plant both feet firmly.
Brace gently before moving so the pelvis remains controlled and the abdominal muscles initiate the repetition.
Exhale and bring the lower ribs toward the pelvis using the abdominals, not a swing of the arms.
Pause at the top while keeping the neck long and the pelvis in the same stable position.
Inhale as you lower the spine or torso with control to the starting position without relaxing abruptly.

Support the head lightly or cross the arms; the abdominals should move the rib cage.

Keep the arms still and let the abdominal muscles move the rib cage toward the pelvis.

Begin by bringing the ribs toward the pelvis rather than simply sitting upright with the hip flexors.

Lower the spine or torso gradually and keep tension through the longest position.

Pulling on the neck: Support the head lightly or cross the arms; the abdominals should move the rib cage.
Moving through the hips only: Begin by bringing the ribs toward the pelvis rather than simply sitting upright with the hip flexors.
Stop when the exercise produces sharp, catching, radiating, or increasing joint pain rather than the expected muscular effort.
Alternative Short-range abdominal crunch: Lift only the head and shoulder blades while the pelvis and feet remain supported.

Place Stability Ball Crunch after the main compound lifts, in a focused core block, or beside an exercise that does not require a fresh trunk.

Use two to four times per week while accounting for trunk work already supplied by squats, hinges, carries, and overhead lifting.

Goal	Sets	Reps or time	Rest	Effort and execution
Control / technique	2–3	5–8 reps	45–75 sec	Stop well before position changes
Strength / endurance	2–4	8–15 reps	60–90 sec	Stop while 1–3 good-form reps are still possible

Use Stability Ball Crunch after Barbell Back Squats, Deadlifts, or another main compound lift.
Pair it with Bird Dog or Cable Pallof Press to combine trunk flexion with stability work.

Scale the movement