Core · Bodyweight
Stepback Opposite Crunch
How to do the stepback opposite 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
- Compound
How to do it
Stand tall, then step one foot back while crunching the opposite elbow down toward the lifting knee as you drive it up. Return to standing and alternate sides, keeping the rhythm steady and the core engaged.
- 1Crunch your elbow toward the opposite knee and feel your obliques fire
- 2Drive the knee up with intent as the back foot steps away
- 3Stay tall through your spine between each rep
Common mistakes
- Don't just bend forward; rotate and crunch through the core
- Avoid losing your balance on the step back
- Don't rush so much that the movement turns sloppy
Muscles worked
The stepback opposite crunch mainly works the obliques, with the upper abs, lower abs, hip flexors, quads, and glutes assisting.
- ObliquesPrimary
- Upper AbsSupport
- Lower AbsSupport
- Hip FlexorsSupport
- QuadsSupport
- GlutesSupport
- HamstringsMinor
- CalvesMinor
Kovo programs the stepback opposite 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.