Which muscle is primarily targeted during the "Kneeling Crunch"?

The "Kneeling Crunch" primarily targets the rectus abdominis and the obliques due to the nature of the movement, which emphasizes flexion of the spine and engagement of the core. During this exercise, as you kneel and pull your torso towards your knees, the rectus abdominis is activated to facilitate the movement of flexing the spine. Additionally, the oblique muscles are engaged to stabilize the torso and assist with the rotational aspects that can be incorporated into variations of the exercise. This combination is critical for developing core strength and stability, which are key components in many pilates practices.

In contrast, the other muscle groups listed, such as the glutes, quadriceps, and deltoids, may play supportive roles during the exercise, but they are not the primary target. The glutes are more engaged in movements involving hip extension, the quadriceps are mainly involved in knee extension, and the deltoids are primarily recruited during shoulder movements, none of which are the focus during a kneeling crunch. Therefore, the correct emphasis on core muscles underlines the intention behind this specific exercise.