Core · Cable
Cable Reverse Crunch
How to do the cable reverse crunch, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Cable
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Logged as
- Weighted reps
- Movement
- Flexion
- Mechanic
- Isolation
How to do it
Lie on your back with your head toward a low cable, an ankle strap connected and your legs bent with feet off the floor. Curl your hips toward your chest against the cable resistance by contracting your lower abs, then lower back down with control.
- 1Lower abs contracting as you curl your hips up against the cable
- 2Your lower back pressing into the floor and tailbone lifting slightly
- 3Head and shoulders relaxed while your core does the work
Common mistakes
- Don't swing your legs or use momentum to lift your hips
- Avoid arching your lower back or straining your neck
- Don't pull your knees too far in; keep the movement small and precise
Muscles worked
The cable reverse crunch mainly works the upper abs and lower abs, with the obliques assisting.
- Upper AbsPrimary
- Lower AbsPrimary
- ObliquesSupport
- QuadsMinor
Kovo programs the cable reverse crunch for you and tracks it every session.
We build your whole program, drop the right lifts into each workout, and adjust your weights as you get stronger. Free on iOS and Android.
More abs & core exercises
- How to do the ab wheel rollout
- How to do the ankle tap plank
- How to do the ankle taps
- How to do the resistance band dead bugs
- How to do the resistance band pallof press
- How to do the rollout
Last reviewed June 2026.