Twisting Cable Crunch

Twisting Cable Crunch Basics

Primary Muscles Worked: Rectus Abdominus and Obliques

Synergist Muscles: Transversus Abdominus

Mechanics: Isolation

Equipment: Low-set cable tower with hand attachment

How To Perform The Twisting Cable Crunch

• Lay down with your back on the floor so that your head is positioned near the low-set cable hand attachment.
• Reach over to the hand attachment with both hands. This may require you to rotate slightly toward the tower.
• Lift your upper body off the floor while simultaneously rotating your arms so that the hand attachment crosses over your so that your arms point in the opposite direction.
• Once your body is a few inches off the floor and you have fully rotated, reverse the movement and return your body to the floor.
• Repeat the simultaneous crunch and twist until you have completed your target number.
• Repeat the same number of twisting cable crunches with your opposite side. 

Twisting Cable Crunch Tips

• The goal of the twisting cable crunch is to target your obliques, so focus more on the twist and rotation instead of just lifting your body off of the floor.
• Keep your arms straight during the twist to make the exercise more difficult. If you keep your arms slightly bent, it will make the exercise easier.

Twisting Cable Crunch and Sports Application

The twisting cable crunch is a highly applicable move to any sport that requires rotational strength. Since almost all sports require rotational strength of some degree, the twisting cable crunch can be successfully implemented in most sports training programs and should help the athlete get more powerful in that regaurd. Swinging the golf club, throwing punches in boxing, performing twistings in gymnastics, or throwing a ball are all skills that the testing cable crunch is relevant to.