Balance Trainer Overhead Weighted Crunch
An intermediate core exercise performed on an unstable surface that intensifies abdominal engagement by extending a weight overhead. This movement increases the lever arm on the torso to deeply target the upper abs and stabilizers.
Training on a balance trainer recruits smaller stabilizing muscles that fatigue differently than prime movers. The AI tracks your RPE and stability metrics to ensure you aren't compensating with your lower back as these stabilizers tire. If your recovery data (HRV or sleep) indicates central nervous system fatigue, the app may suggest reducing the overhead weight to maintain safe, effective form.
Form Cues
- Keep your lower back pressed firmly into the dome
- Extend arms fully overhead near your ears
- Exhale forcefully as you crunch up
- Squeeze your abs at the top of the movement
- Control the descent to resist gravity
- Don't let your lower back lift off the surface
- Don't swing your arms forward for momentum
- Don't tuck your chin aggressively into your chest
- Don't allow your hips to slide down the ball
- Don't arch your spine excessively at the bottom
Common Mistakes
- Using arm momentum to sit up
- Losing lower back contact
- Straining the neck forward
- Rushing the lowering phase
- Holding the weight too far forward
Muscles Worked
This exercise primarily targets the rectus abdominis (upper abs) by using the long lever arm of the overhead weight to increase resistance. The unstable surface forces the transverse abdominis and internal obliques to engage constantly for balance, while the anterior deltoids work isometrically to keep the weight elevated.
Primary
Secondary
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