How To Do Vertical Leg Crunches Video

Vertical leg crunches work the muscles of the thighs by curling the leg vertically, building muscle mass and tone. Learn how to do vertical leg crunch exercises in this strength training video.

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Use a mat for comfort
Keep legs as straight as you can
Focus on crunching core and reaching toes
Exhale as you crunch

About this Author

Tom Clifford has a degree in physical education, fitness and health from Eastern Michigan University, where he ran track and cross-country. Tom has worked as a personal trainer for two years. He also has a separate business where he coaches runners and triathletes for upcoming events. He currently works at Gold's Gym in Wilmington, North Carolina.

TOM CLIFFORD: Now, I'm going to demonstrate how to do Vertical Leg Crunches. Lay down. You can put a mat down if you need a mat for comfort. You're going to lay back on your back and your legs are going to be vertical on the ground. Take your fingers, put them straight up and you're going to crunch and reach for your toes. All the way down, crunch and reach for your toes. So you're focusing on crunching your core muscles and having a goal to try to reach those toes with your legs straight up. Notice when I'm going up, my voice changes, because I'm really contracting my abs, then slowly lower your legs. Another way you can do a vertical leg crunch which is a little bit less advanced is you can have your hands behind your head and put in one leg at a time and just touch your ankle or your toe. So bring your leg vertical, touch your ankle, you're still contracting your abs and stretch all the way back. So some points to remember when you're doing vertical leg crunches is, the more advanced way is to keep your legs straight up in the air and really, really focus on contracting your abs. Take your fingers and try to reach for those toes. It's kind of a goal. So every time you reach your toes, you can count it as one or reach your ankles. You can count it as one, and if you don't, then it wouldn't count. So it would be ideal if you're working out by yourself. You'd be like your own little personal trainer. The easier way of doing vertical leg crunches is one leg at a time. And again, you'll be just reaching for one leg and it would be just a little bit easier for you. So those are some different exercises that you can do for vertical leg crunches.

How to Do Vertical Leg Crunches Video

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