10 Best Lever Seated Crunch (Chest Pad) Alternatives for Limited Equipment

Ranked Lever Seated Crunch (Chest Pad) Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Lever Seated Crunch (Chest Pad) on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.

1. Best match

   Play demonstration

   1. Lever Seated Leg Raise Crunch

   99% match

   • Abs
   • Lever
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   It uses the same equipment and still works the abs.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on the leverage machine with your back against the backrest and your feet on the footrests.
   2. Grasp the handles or sidebars for stability.
   3. Engage your abs and slowly raise your legs up towards your chest, curling your torso forward at the same time.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your legs and torso back to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Lever Seated Crunch (Chest Pad)
   • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Lever Seated Crunch (Chest Pad)
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever Seated Crunch (Chest Pad)
2. Play demonstration

   2. Lever Seated Crunch

   96% match

   • Abs
   • Lever
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on the leverage machine with your back against the pad and your feet flat on the floor.
   2. Grasp the handles or place your hands on the side pads for support.
   3. Engage your abs and slowly lean back, allowing the pad to move with you.
   4. Once your upper body is at a 45-degree angle, contract your abs and crunch forward, bringing your chest towards your knees.
   5. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly release and return to the starting position.
   6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Lever Seated Crunch (Chest Pad)
   • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Lever Seated Crunch (Chest Pad)
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever Seated Crunch (Chest Pad)
3. Play demonstration

   3. Leg Pull In Flat Bench

   84% match

   • Abs
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

   Use this when you have nothing to train with, because it works the abs with bodyweight alone.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on a flat bench with your legs extended straight out in front of you.
   2. Place your hands on the bench beside your hips for support.
   3. Engage your abs and lift your legs off the ground, bringing your knees towards your chest.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your legs back down to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Lever Seated Crunch (Chest Pad)
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever Seated Crunch (Chest Pad)
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Lever Seated Crunch (Chest Pad)
4. 

   4. Seated Leg Tucks

   83% match

   • Abs
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on a bench with the legs stretched out in front of you slightly below parallel and your arms holding on to the sides of the bench. Your torso should be leaning backwards around a 45-degree angle from the bench. This will be your starting position.
   2. Bring the knees in toward you as you move your torso closer to them at the same time. Breathe out as you perform this movement.
   3. After a second pause, go back to the starting position as you inhale.
   4. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Lever Seated Crunch (Chest Pad)
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever Seated Crunch (Chest Pad)
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Lever Seated Crunch (Chest Pad)
5. Play demonstration

   5. Half Sit-up

   82% match

   • Abs
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground.
   2. Place your hands behind your head with your elbows pointing outwards.
   3. Engaging your abs, slowly lift your upper body off the ground, curling forward until your torso is at a 45-degree angle.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your upper body back down to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Lever Seated Crunch (Chest Pad)
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
   • Body position: lying on your back, not seated
6. Play demonstration

   6. Quarter Sit-up

   82% match

   • Abs
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground.
   2. Place your hands behind your head with your elbows pointing outwards.
   3. Engaging your abs, slowly lift your upper body off the ground, curling forward until your torso is at a 45-degree angle.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your upper body back down to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Lever Seated Crunch (Chest Pad)
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
   • Body position: lying on your back, not seated
7. 

   7. Ab Crunch Machine

   82% match

   • Abs
   • Machine
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   A good swap when you have a machine to work with, and it still works the abs.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Select a light resistance and sit down on the ab machine placing your feet under the pads provided and grabbing the top handles. Your arms should be bent at a 90 degree angle as you rest the triceps on the pads provided. This will be your starting position.
   2. At the same time, begin to lift the legs up as you crunch your upper torso. Breathe out as you perform this movement. Tip: Be sure to use a slow and controlled motion. Concentrate on using your abs to move the weight while relaxing your legs and feet.
   3. After a second pause, slowly return to the starting position as you breathe in.
   4. Repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Lever Seated Crunch (Chest Pad)
   • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Lever Seated Crunch (Chest Pad)
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever Seated Crunch (Chest Pad)
8. Play demonstration

   8. Cable Seated Crunch

   81% match

   • Abs
   • Cable
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on a cable machine with your feet flat on the ground and your knees bent.
   2. Hold the cable handle with both hands and position it behind your head.
   3. Engage your abs and slowly curl your upper body forward, bringing your chest towards your knees.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly return to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Lever Seated Crunch (Chest Pad)
   • Equipment: a cable, not a machine
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever Seated Crunch (Chest Pad)
9. Play demonstration

   9. Assisted Sit-up

   78% match

   • Abs
   • Machine
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on the edge of a bench or have someone hold your feet down.
   2. Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground.
   3. Place your hands behind your head with your elbows pointing outwards.
   4. Engaging your abs, slowly lift your upper body off the ground, curling forward until your torso is at a 45-degree angle.
   5. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your upper body back down to the starting position.
   6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Lever Seated Crunch (Chest Pad)
   • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Lever Seated Crunch (Chest Pad)
   • Body position: lying on your back, not seated
10. 

    10. Sit-up

    78% match

    • Abs
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Isolation

    How to perform this exercise

    1. Lie down on the floor placing your feet either under something that will not move or by having a partner hold them. Your legs should be bent at the knees.
    2. Place your hands behind your head and lock them together by clasping your fingers. This is the starting position.
    3. Elevate your upper body so that it creates an imaginary V-shape with your thighs. Breathe out when performing this part of the exercise.
    4. Once you feel the contraction for a second, lower your upper body back down to the starting position while inhaling.
    5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches

    • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Lever Seated Crunch (Chest Pad)
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
    • Body position: lying on your back, not seated