Sit-up and Throws with a medicine ball is an explosive variation of a core exercise. Holding the weight too low takes away much (if not all) of the added resistance that the weight is supposed to be providing. The biggest mistake I see with Weighted Sit-Ups is holding the weight too low, down towards the stomach. Lower back down to the floor and repeat.Sit up by contracting and flexing the abdominals.Hold the weight tight against the chest if possible.

Grab a plate or dumbbell, lay on your back, knees bent, feet flat on the floor.

They also don’t require much equipment which can come in very handy. Weighted Sit-ups may not be the fanciest Cable Crunch alternative, but they’re extremely effective. If the resistance is too easy or too hard, simply adjust the weight on the machine accordingly. Also, make sure to keep your core engaged throughout the exercise.Īvoid pulling on the handles too hard, as this can strain your neck and shoulders. When doing Ab Machine Crunches, keep your movements slow and controlled, rather than jerky.

Slowly lower your upper body back down to the starting position.

Engage your core and lift your upper body off the pads, bringing your elbows towards your knees.

Sit on the machine and grip the handles.

Make sure the pads are positioned comfortably on your upper back and the handles are within reach. Note: This may vary slightly from one ab machine to another as not all ab machines are built exactly the same. This will depend a bit on the machine itself (ab crunch machines will vary in how they’re designed), but if you have access to one they can be a good way to add resistance to your Crunches. Perhaps the closest alternative to directly mimicking Cable Crunches is the Ab Machine Crunch. My goal with this list was to give you a bunch of ideas so you could pick and choose which exercises you like the best to serve as a replacement for Cable Crunches. Some still require equipment – medicine balls, weight plates, stability ball – but many exercises don’t require any equipment at all. These Cable Crunch alternatives have a lot of variety within them. In this guide, I’m going to give you 14 of my favorite Cable Crunch alternatives. Whatever the reason, you’re in the right place. But, perhaps you’re just looking to change your workout up a bit. The most obvious of which being you don’t have access to a cable machine. However, sometimes you may find yourself needing a Cable Crunch alternative. They’re one of the most unique ways to do abs with a weighted resistance.

Cable Crunch is one of the most popular exercises done on a cable machine.

Cable crunch gif