How To: Tone abs with a weighted crunch exercise

Get a good abs workout with this "weighted crunch" exercise. Men's Health shows you how to do it. Using a weighted plate on your chest makes this abs exercise harder, but so much more useful.

Lie on your back with your knees bent and hold a weight plate or dumb-bell on your chest. Slowly crunch up bringing your shoulder blades off the floor, pause, then lower yourself to the starting position.

Aim to keep your head in a fixed position to avoid any pain or fatigue in your neck. Breathe out as you lift up and breathe in as you return to your starting position.

As with all exercises, master the technique before progressing to a heavier weight. We also recommend having a training partner close by who can help remove the plate when you reach the end of your set.