Measuring Your Abdominal Strength

The strength of your abdominal muscles is usually measured by a crunch test. (This test isn't recommended if you have lower-back problems.)

Place two pieces of masking tape about halfway down the length of a mat, one directly behind the other, about 2-1/2 inches apart. Lie on your back on the mat with your arms at your sides and your fingertips touching the rear edge of the back piece of tape. Bend your knees and place your feet flat on the floor. Curl your head, neck, and shoulder blades upward, sliding your palms along the floor until your fingertips touch the front edge of the front piece of tape. Return to the starting position and keep going until you're too tired to continue or you can't reach the tape. Don't cheat by sliding your arms without moving your body or by moving only one side of your body.

Use Tables 3 and 4 to gauge the results of your crunch test.

Table 3: Crunches — Men

Table 4: Crunches — Women