: Exhale on the "effort" phase (the crunch or the lift) to deepen the abdominal engagement.
: Focus on slow, controlled rotation rather than speed to maximize muscle fiber recruitment in the obliques. : Exhale on the "effort" phase (the crunch
: Start in a high plank. Alternately tap your knees to the floor lightly to engage the lower abdominals without losing your spinal alignment. : Exhale on the "effort" phase (the crunch