Sit-Up
Trunk flexion, bodyweight, abdominals
The sit up curls the body from lying on the back all the way up to sitting. It trains the abdominals, with the hip flexors and obliques helping. It suits people who want a full range move for the trunk and can already do crunches well.
Setting up
- Lie on the back with the knees bent and the feet flat on the floor.
- Cross the arms on the chest.
- Hook the feet under something low if they lift as you sit up.
How to do a sit-up
- Brace the belly.
- Curl the head and shoulders up first, then keep curling until you sit upright.
- Sit tall for a moment at the top.
- Roll back down slowly, one part of the back at a time.
- Rest the shoulders on the floor before the next rep.
Breathing. Breathe out as you sit up and breathe in as you roll back down.
Muscles worked
- Mainly
- Abdominals
- Also
- Hip flexors and obliques
Common mistakes
- Jerking up with the arms. Momentum skips the abdominals, so keep the arms crossed and curl up smoothly.
- Dropping back to the floor. The way down is half the work, so roll back slowly.
- Feet lifting off the floor. Then the legs swing you up, so hook the feet under something low or bend the knees more.
Easier and harder
- Easier
- Crunch
- Harder
- V-Up, Medicine Ball Weighted Sit-Up
Guide
Guide
Guide
Guide
Guide
Guide
Guide
Guide