Static Curl

Start: Lie on your back with a rolled-up towel tucked under the curve of your lower back. Place your hands lightly behind, or on the sides of your head. Curl your head, neck and shoulders slightly forward to raise your shoulder blades a couple of inches off the floor. Engage your abs: Tighten the muscles on all sides of your torso, but do not suck in the gut or let the lower back flatten toward the floor. Do not move, pulse, crunch or curl farther forward, just hold the raised position and ‘brace’ the abs tighter. Keep your neck extended, not bent forward. Breathe normally and try to tighten as much of your torso as possible while keeping the lower back curve in place. Hold for five to 10 seconds.



Technique Tip: Avoid “crunching” back and forth. Just hold the position and tighten your core muscles without moving.