Core · Decline Bench
Decline Crunch
How to do the decline crunch, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Decline Bench
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Logged as
- Weighted reps
- Movement
- Core Hold
- Mechanic
- Accessory
How to do it
Lie on a decline bench, secure your feet, and perform crunches by lifting your upper body toward your knees, engaging the core.
- 1Feel your upper and lower abs firing as you curl up on a declined bench
- 2Keep your core tight and controlled throughout the full range
- 3Exhale as you crunch to intensify the contraction
Common mistakes
- Avoid pulling on your head or neck
- Don't let your feet lift or use momentum to get up
- Avoid arching your lower back as you descend; maintain contact with the bench
Muscles worked
The decline crunch mainly works the upper abs and lower abs, with the obliques assisting.
- Upper AbsPrimary
- Lower AbsPrimary
- ObliquesSupport
- QuadsMinor
Kovo programs the decline 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 April 2026.