How to Do Cable Crunch
Start and end of one clean rep of Cable Crunch.
Quick facts
| Primary muscle | Core |
|---|---|
| Secondary muscles | — |
| Equipment | Cable |
| Category | Strength |
How to perform Cable Crunch
- Kneel below a high pulley that contains a rope attachment.
- Grasp cable rope attachment and lower the rope until your hands are placed next to your face.
- Flex your hips slightly and allow the weight to hyperextend the lower back. This will be your starting position.
- With the hips stationary, flex the waist as you contract the abs so that the elbows travel towards the middle of the thighs. Exhale as you perform this portion of the movement and hold the contraction for a second.
- Slowly return to the starting position as you inhale. Tip: Make sure that you keep constant tension on the abs throughout the movement. Also, do not choose a weight so heavy that the lower back handles the brunt of the work.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Muscles worked
- Core (primary): braces the trunk and resists twisting to protect the spine.
Sets & reps by goal
| Goal | Sets × reps | Load | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | 3–5 × 3–5 | Heavy (~85%+) | 2–3 min |
| Hypertrophy | 3–4 × 8–12 | Moderate (~65–75%) | 60–90 s |
| Endurance | 2–3 × 15–20 | Lighter (~50–60%) | 30–45 s |
Pick the row that matches your goal. If you're newer, anchor in the hypertrophy range while you groove the form.
Form tips
- Brace as if about to take a light punch and breathe shallowly — don't hold your breath for the whole set.
- Keep tension on the cable through the whole range — pause before the stack touches down instead of letting it crash.
- Treat every rep the same — a repeatable setup and bar path is what lets you add weight safely over time.
- Warm up the pattern with a couple of lighter, submaximal sets before your working sets.
Common mistakes
- Cranking with the hip flexors or neck instead of moving from the trunk.
- Letting the stack yank the working muscle back at the end of each rep.
- Chasing weight jumps before the current load feels solid on every rep.
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does Cable Crunch work?
Cable Crunch is a focused movement that primarily works the core.
What equipment do I need for Cable Crunch?
Cable Crunch needs a cable station with the right handle attachment.
How many sets and reps should I do for Cable Crunch?
It depends on your goal: about 3–5 sets of 3–5 heavy reps for strength, 3–4 sets of 8–12 for muscle growth, or 2–3 sets of 15–20 for endurance. Pick the row that matches your goal. If you're newer, anchor in the hypertrophy range while you groove the form.
Train Cable Crunch with a coach in your pocket
Gimmy is your AI gym buddy — it programs Cable Crunch into recovery-aware workouts, tracks your sets, and shows one score that tells you if it's working.
Get early access