Core · Bodyweight
Reverse Crunch
How to do the reverse crunch, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Bodyweight
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Logged as
- Weighted reps
- Movement
- Core Hold
- Mechanic
- Accessory
See it in motion
How to do it
Lie on your back with legs bent and feet off the floor. Curl your hips towards your chest by engaging your core, then lower back down.
- 1Press your lower back into the floor and curl your hips toward your chest so you feel your lower abs contracting
- 2Use a slow, controlled motion and let your tailbone lift slightly off the floor
- 3Keep your head and shoulders relaxed as you focus on your core
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 toward your chest; keep the movement small and precise
Muscles worked
The reverse crunch mainly works the upper abs and lower abs, with the obliques assisting.
- Upper AbsPrimary
- Lower AbsPrimary
- ObliquesSupport
- QuadsMinor
Kovo programs the reverse crunch for you and tracks it every session.
The AI builds your whole program, drops the right lifts into each workout, and adjusts 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 bicycle crunches
- How to do the cable crunch
- How to do the cable pallof press
- How to do the woodchop
- How to do the captains chair leg raise
Last reviewed April 2026.