Exercise Directory: Exercise #72: Weighted Crunches: Legs Out

​Not only does a tighter midsection look great in clothes ... a stronger core means a stronger foundation for everything you do throughout your day.

STEP #1: Start by lying on the floor on your back.

STEP #2: Extend your legs straight out in front of you.

STEP #3: Grab a dumbbell and place it on your chest as resistance.

STEP #4: Next ... stare at one spot on the ceiling. Keep your eyes focused on that spot. Try to maintain about a fist-width distance between your chin and your chest. This will help you eliminate the potential for straining your neck.

STEP #5: Draw your belly button in toward your spine and concentrate on keeping your abdominals contracted throughout the exercise.

​​STEP #6: While maintaining the same distance between your chin and chest, lift your shoulders off the floor ... while tightening your abdominals.

​STEP #7: Hold for a moment ... and then slowly lower your shoulders back to the floor.

Photos by Kenny Johnson Photography.