Best known for her roles in the Percy Jackson films and The White Lotus, Alexandra Daddario has been a long-time fan favorite. While fans have always admired her unmatched acting skills on both the big and small screen, she also boasts an incredibly toned and fit physique. At 40, Daddario shared the crunch upgrade she credited to her strong core and abs – a smart twist on the classic crunch.

Daddario shared the secret – reverse crunch into shoulder stand. Daddario's twist flips the traditional crunch on its head—instead of crunching forward, she curls her pelvis toward her chest and lifts into a controlled shoulder stand. This small variation not only engages the upper and lower abs along with the obliques but also emphasizes core control.

However, Daddario took it one step further by moving into a Pilates plow position, taking her legs overhead. She then reversed the movement with full ab control while lowering her entire body.

Although this movement is optional, Daddario insisted that it is this very movement that made all the difference.

According to Women’s Health, Daddario’s reverse crunch into shoulder stand consisted of the following steps:

• Begin by lying on your back with both knees bent.
• Perform a reverse crunch by curling your pelvis toward the chest.
• Lift your hips till you can balance your body on your shoulders.
• Extend your legs into an overhead Pilates plow.
• Lower your spine slowly onto the mat while keeping your core engaged.

But the reverse crunch is only half the equation. Daddario credits her kitchen—and her love of cooking—as equally vital to her fitness

How Daddario fuels her core: the nutrition side of her fitness routine

Like many modern celebrities, Daddario doesn’t like following strict or restrictive diets.

During an interview with Women’s Health, Daddario revealed that she loved cooking, although she doesn’t get a lot of chances to do it. One of her favorite meals to cook, she admitted, was pasta.

Daddario’s typical breakfast begins with a big glass of water followed by a cappuccino. Then, she opts for fruit, egg whites with spinach, and toast.

Lunch isn’t a set meal for her as it depends heavily on her schedule. However, if she’s not traveling and has the time, she prefers home-cooked meals. This can consist of a healthy salad with chicken and olive oil or a light stir fry.

Midday meals are always paired with either black or iced green tea. She also admitted to enjoying snacks, be it potato chips, popcorn, or carrots and hummus.

Finally, dinner is something fancier – pasta, filet, chipotle chicken, tortillas, or sushi, if she is eating out.

“We always have ice cream in the freezer,” she admitted, something you might not have expected from someone so healthy.

What do you think of Daddario’s signature ab crunch variation?

Follow Bodybuilding Bros for all things fitness!

Written by

Avantika Das

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi