Primary Muscles Worked:  Rectus Abdominus

1.    Start Position:  Lie on your back with your knees up at a 90-degree angle.  Hands behind your head, light fingertip pressure only.
2.    Execution:  Exhale and contract your abs, as you slowly lift your shoulder blades off the floor.  Press your low back into the floor and think about pulling your belly button to your spine.
3.    Pause at the top of the movement.
4.    Inhale and slowly control your body back to the start position.
5.    Perform this exercise very slowly to avoid using momentum to help.  Your body should remain perfectly still during the movement.
6.    Avoid this exercise if you feel back or neck pain (or pain anywhere else).

Trainer Tips:
•    Proper form, posture and correct breathing are very important – not only to isolate the targeted muscle group, but also to prevent injury.
•    Making the mind/muscle connection will insure that you get the most out of the exercise
•    You may place your feet in a chair to help stabilize your movement.
•    You may increase the difficulty of this exercise by extending your arms up over your head.  Make sure you don’t jerk them forward to help with the crunch.
•    Keep your range of motion very small, stay in the muscle.