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Abs

Cable crunch: how to do it right

In the cable crunch, kneeling, you curl your torso by pulling on a rope. It's one of the best exercises for loading your abs.

Main muscle
Abs
Also works
Obliques
Equipment
High cable with rope
Level
Intermediate
Cable crunch: start position
Start position
Cable crunch: end position
End position

Step by step

  1. Attach a rope to the high pulley and kneel in front of it.
  2. Hold the rope beside your head.
  3. Curl your torso down, rounding your back and bringing your elbows towards your thighs.
  4. Return slowly to the start.

Tip: Breathe out on the way down and squeeze your abs for a second at the bottom.

Common mistakes

Sitting back on your heels

If your hips drop, your legs do the movement. Your hips stay still.

Pulling with your arms

Your hands stay fixed beside your head.

Straight back

Your abs work by rounding your back, not by leaning forward straight.

Sets and reps

Guide ranges. Start with a weight where the last rep is hard but your technique holds.

GoalSetsRepsRest
Strength3–53–62–3 min
Build muscle3–46–121.5–2 min
Health and fitness2–310–151 min

In GymOrbita you log every set and the app suggests the weight for your next session based on what you did last time.

Alternatives

If the machine is busy or you want a variation:

FAQ

How much weight?

One that lets you do 10–15 reps while rounding your back properly.

General technique information, not a substitute for professional advice. If you have an injury or pain, check with a doctor or physiotherapist first.

Add cable crunch to your routine

GymOrbita has this exercise with its animation: log the weight and reps of every set and track your progress. Free.