Crunches While Standing

Abdominal exercises do not have to leave you flat on your back. Standing crunches offer a challenging exercise option. Stand and strengthen your stomach when you are recovering from an injury that causes difficulty getting up off the floor. Use upright crunches when you are searching for a variety in your abdominal training.

Standing Side Crunch

The standing side crunch does not require any equipment. Stand tall and then shift your weight onto your left foot. Bend your right knee to a 90-degree angle. Lift your right foot behind your body so your knee points out to the side. Place both hands behind your head with your elbows pointing to the sides. Exhale and bend to the right, bringing your right elbow toward your right knee. Concentrate on shortening the distance between your lower right ribs and your right hip. Complete 15 standing crunches on both sides.

Standing Knee Crunch

The standing knee crunch is performed without any equipment, so you can use this exercise anywhere. Stand on your left foot and extend your right straight leg behind your body. Lift your right foot slightly off the floor. Reach both arms up over your head. Exhale and bend your right knee as you raise your knee in front of your body. Bend both elbows and aim to reach your elbows to your right knee. Return your arms overhead and your right leg behind your body. Complete 15 knee crunches on each leg.

Standing Side Bend

The standing side bend uses a dumbbell for resistance to strengthen the sides of your stomach. Stand tall with your feet underneath your hips. Hold a dumbbell in your left hand. Straighten your left arm and face your left palm toward your body. Inhale and bend to the left as the dumbbell slides down your leg. Concentrate on closing the distance between the ribs on your left side and your left hip. Exhale and stand tall. Complete 15 side bends on each side.

Standing Water Crunch

Water exercise is gentle and effective for strengthening your stomach. Any of the above movements can be performed in the water for strength training variety. A kickboard is used as a stomach training tool in the water. Stand in chest-deep water. Bend your elbows to a 90-degree angle with your hands palms down in front of your torso. Place the kickboard underneath your palms. Exhale and fold forward from your waist as you press down on the board. Keep the 90-degree angle in your arms. Inhale and return to a standing position. Repeat 15 times.