High crunches

Muscles worked

You need

How to do it

1. Lie on your back with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor, and both arms extended straight up toward the ceiling.
2. Crunch your head and shoulders off the floor, reaching your hands higher toward the ceiling with every rep - straight up, not forward toward your knees - then lower back down with control.
3. The vertical reach keeps the movement short and honest: no pulling on the neck, no momentum, just your abs pushing your fingertips a little closer to the ceiling.