Core · Bodyweight
Beginner Starfish Crunch
How to do the beginner starfish 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
- Reps
- Movement
- Flexion
- Mechanic
- Isolation
How to do it
Lie on your back with your arms and legs spread wide like a starfish. Reach one hand toward the opposite foot by crunching your torso up and across, then lower with control and alternate sides.
- 1Feel your abs contract as you curl your shoulder toward the opposite hip
- 2Keep the movement coming from your core, not your neck
- 3Exhale as you crunch up and pause at the top
Common mistakes
- Avoid yanking on your head or neck with your hand
- Don't rely on momentum to swing yourself up
- Don't let your lower back arch off the floor
Muscles worked
The beginner starfish crunch mainly works the upper abs, with the lower abs and obliques assisting.
- Upper AbsPrimary
- Lower AbsSupport
- ObliquesSupport
- Hip FlexorsMinor
Kovo programs the beginner starfish 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.