The situp is a core exercise that targets the abdominal muscles. It can be performed with feet anchored under a stable surface or situp bench to provide stability during the movement.
Also Works
Hip Flexors
How to Perform
1
Anchor your feet under a stable surface, situp bench, or weight.
2
Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground.
3
Place your hands behind your head with your elbows pointing outwards, or cross them over your chest.
4
Engaging your abs, slowly lift your upper body off the ground, curling forward until your torso is upright.
5
Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your upper body back down to the starting position.
6
Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Pro Tips
•Anchor your feet securely and cross your arms over your chest or place hands behind your head without pulling on your neck.
•Curl up by flexing your spine from the top down, starting with your chin and chest before your lower back leaves the floor.
•Control the descent back to the ground rather than dropping; the eccentric phase builds core strength.
Common Mistakes
•Pulling on the neck with your hands to help lift the torso, which strains the cervical spine.
•Using hip flexors to yank yourself up rather than curling with the abs.
•Anchoring the feet but relying entirely on the anchor to generate force rather than using core strength.