How To: Tone abs with a standing cable crunch exercise

Join Men's Health as they show you the "standing cable crunch" exercise, which uses a high-pulley cable to tone your abs. It's a great abs workout if you have the right equipment.

Attach a rope to a high-pulley cable and stand with your back to the weights stack. Hold one end of the rope on the left side of your head and the other end on the right. Crunch your torso down, pause, and return to the starting position.

Try to really crunch your chest down to meet your abs and squeeze your tummy hard. Remember to breathe out as you crunch and breathe in as you return to the starting position. There should always be a slight bend in your knees and continuous tension in the abdominal muscles.

This is a great alternative for anyone used to working their abs in a lying-down position. When the technique is mastered, increase the weight.