Cocoons

Cocoons is a beginner-level compound in the strength category that primarily works the abs. It is performed with bodyweight.

How to do it

1. 1Begin by lying on your back on the ground. Your legs should be straight and your arms extended behind your head. This will be your starting position.
2. 2To perform the movement, tuck the knees toward your chest, rotating your pelvis to lift your glutes from the floor. As you do so, flex the spine, bringing your arms back over your head to perform a simultaneous crunch motion.
3. 3After a brief pause, return to the starting position.

Muscles worked

Primary muscles in filled badges, secondary in grey. Tap for more exercises per muscle.

Tips and common mistakes

• •Keep your core braced and your spine neutral throughout the movement.
• •Add load only once you complete all reps with good form — progressive overload.
• •Initiate the pull from the target muscle rather than jerking with body momentum.
• •Prioritize full range of motion over heavy weight with partial reps.

Sets and reps

For hypertrophy: 3–4 sets × 8–12 reps with 1–2 reps in reserve (RPE 7–9) and 1–2 minutes rest. For strength: 3–5 × 4–6 with longer rest.