How To Do a Sit-Up

  • August 11, 2008
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Lately, the sit-up has been replaced by the stomach crunch. That’s too bad, since a crunch won’t help you get up off the ground—a fundamental daily movement.

You Will Need

  • A clean carpeted or padded floor surface
  • Something sturdy to tuck your feet under, like a bed or a couch

Always consult a physician before attempting any exercise program.

How To Do a Sit-Up: Step 1: Lie face up

Step 1: Step 1: Lie face up

Lie face up on the floor.

How To Do a Sit-Up: Step 2: Bend knees

Step 2: Step 2: Bend knees

Bend your knees so that your feet are flat on the floor.

How To Do a Sit-Up: Step 3: Place hands behind head

Step 3: Step 3: Place hands behind head

Place your hands on the back of your head with your elbows out to the side. Lace your fingers behind your head.

How To Do a Sit-Up: Step 4: Lift off ground

Step 4: Step 4: Lift off ground

In one motion, squeeze your stomach muscles, lift your shoulders off the floor, and bring your torso upright while keeping your neck straight and your elbows out.

Don’t put strain on your neck with your arms—lift with your abs.

How To Do a Sit-Up: Step 5: Lower yourself back down

Step 5: Step 5: Lower yourself back down

Slowly lower yourself back down with a curved back, one vertebra at a time.

If you’re having trouble, tuck your feet under something sturdy like a bed or couch to make your sit-ups easier.

How To Do a Sit-Up: Step 6: Repeat until exhausted

Step 6: Step 6: Repeat until exhausted

Do sit-ups until you’re exhausted, then—if you’re really hardcore—just roll over on your stomach and start cranking out those push-ups.

A proper sit-up—one where your feet aren’t braced—also uses stabilizer muscles in your hips and back, making it good for more than just a six-pack.

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Comments (3)

musik3r

I like this basic, classic, practice as well as I can do it at home. :]

over 2 years ago by musik3r

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dfreed1014

The sit-up is just one great exercise. Sometimes the simple exercise is the trick to a successful fitnessbuilding program. David Aston, resident advisor to http://fitnessbuilding.com

over 2 years ago by dfreed1014

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michaelrsanchez

IF YOU LIKED THIS WATCH AND VOTE FOR ANOTHER GREAT VIDEO BY THE SAME DIRECTOR! http://www.howcast.com/contests/The-Howcast-Emerging-Filmmakers-Program-HowTo-Video-Challenge#entry_id=2

over 2 years ago by michaelrsanchez

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