Sit-Up
- Works
- Abs
- Equipment
- Bodyweight
- Level
- Beginner
- Type
- Isolation
How to do it
Setup. 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.
- Place your hands behind your head and lock them together by clasping your fingers. This is the starting position.
- Elevate your upper body so that it creates an imaginary V-shape with your thighs. Breathe out when performing this part of the exercise.
- Once you feel the contraction for a second, lower your upper body back down to the starting position while inhaling.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Cues
- Feet anchored, knees bent.
- Curl up, chin off the chest.
- Rise to a V with the thighs.
- Lower in 2 seconds.
Common mistakes
- Yanking on the neck.
- Dropping back down fast.
Where to start
Sets3
Reps12-20
Rest45 s
Tempo1-0-2
A starting point, not a law. Pick a weight you could lift two or three more times than the top of the range. Tempo is seconds down, pause, up. When every set hits the top of the range, add a little weight.
Go easy, or pick an alternative, if you have a cranky lower back. Pain that's sharp or gets worse set to set means stop.