This is day four in the 30 Abs Exercises In 30 Days Series of articles.

If you’re interested in getting a flat stomach then this is a series you will want to bookmark right now! You might even want to subscribe by RSS or email at the right of the page.

If you’re at all like me you get bored doing the same old abs exercises, if you get to them at all. For the next 30 days I’m going to give you a new abdominal exercise along with instructions on how to correctly perform the exercise!

Abs Exercise #4: The Vertical Leg Crunch

The vertical leg crunch is similar to the traditional stomach crunch however with the vertical crunch the legs are involved and the exercise has an emphasis on the upper abdominals. Again there is no need for any special equipment.

Here is the proper way to perform the vertical leg crunch:

1. Lie flat on the floor or on an exercise mat.
2. Extend your legs straight up in the air, creating a right angle with your torso.
3. You can keep your feet straight or have them crossed.
4. You can either
   • Place your fingertips at the side of your head of just behind your ears or
   • Try to touch your fingertips to your toes, then
5. Contract your stomach muscles and lift your ribs up towards your pelvis.
6. Lower yourself back down and repeat for 10 reps.

Things to remember when doing vertical leg crunches:

• Keep your chin off your chest with each rep so that you are not straining your neck.
• Exhale as you contract upward while inhaling as you return to starting position.
• Don’t lift with your chin, in other words keep your head straight and don’t jerk it around.
• You can mix the exercise up by holding the crunched position for 5 seconds before lowering back down.

Next In The Series: Exercise Ball Crunch
Previous In The Series: The Reverse Stomach Crunch

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