The humble sit-up is perhaps one of the most popular exercises ever invented. It’s an abdominal exercise that requires you lay on your back with your feet firmly planted on the floor. You can then use your muscles to pull your torso up from the floor to reach your knees, which should be pointing at the ceiling. This exercise requires no equipment, although a gym mat may be advised, and it can be done in the gym or on the living room floor, as long as there is a flat surface.
Although such a simple action, there are many benefits to doing a sit-up. They’re characterized as a multi-muscle movement that helps tone the abs, but they can also work hip flexors, the lower back, and the neck. This exercise will engage your core and help build muscle, so if you dig this, then you should try it! As this exercise is incredibly beneficial, it’s often included in most workout routines, especially those looking to bulk up and have a good set of abs. However, sitting on the floor and hoisting yourself up is not the best way to perform a sit-up. There is a proper way of doing things, which will have the most impact on the body. Here’s how.
Lie down on a firm surface on your back
As we’ve already mentioned, a flat surface is essential. This is so that when you sit up, all of your muscles are engaged. Some flat surfaces are not very comfortable, especially when it’s on a hard floor, and that could disrupt your routine. Try to use a gym mat or yoga mat so that your back is comfortable when returning to the starting position. As you get into place, you can lie completely flat on your back and look up at the ceiling. Your feet could be positioned at a 90-degree angle, with your knees also pointing towards the ceiling. Once you’re in this position, it’s time to think about your arms.
Put your hands beside your neck
You do not want your hands waving about when you’re doing your sit-up. Sometimes, you can put your hands on your head, but they can move about a little. The best place to put your hands is beside your neck. You could even clasp them behind your neck for a little extra support. You don’t want your arms in the way because they can be distracting and can take away from the exercise. After all, this is a core engaging exercise, not an arm exercise.
Bend your hips and lift your torso
By keeping your feet flat on the floor at all times, you can bend your hips and lift your torso far more smoothly than any other way. This may seem tricky at first, but if you concentrate on your core and focus, you will get the hang of it. This movement ensures muscles are engaged and you are making the most out of the exercise.
Reverse the movement
Once you’ve lifted your torso off the floor and have engaged all of the muscles, you can then bend your hips again and begin to lower yourself into the starting position. If you lower yourself relatively slowly, you will benefit more from the action.
One of the most important things to remember is to focus on your form. It doesn’t matter how fast or slow you are doing a sit-up, if you have the proper form, every movement will count. The slower you go, the more you can focus on your form and the better the outcome of the session will be. When it comes to sit-ups, it’s not about how many you can do, it’s about perfecting each rep for maximum impact. Another really important aspect of a sit-up is to not use your hands. This is a core exercise that will help build and tone abdominal muscles as well as other muscles; using your hands will take away from that and ultimately, the sit-up won’t be as beneficial.
Once you have perfected your sit-up, you can then begin to focus on other floor exercises, like crunches, Russian twists, or even yoga.
Put your hands beside your neck
You do not want your hands waving about when you’re doing your sit-up. Sometimes, you can put your hands on your head, but they can move about a little. The best place to put your hands is beside your neck. You could even clasp them behind your neck for a little extra support. You don’t want your arms in the way because they can be distracting and can take away from the exercise. After all, this is a core engaging exercise, not an arm exercise.
Bend your hips and lift your torso
By keeping your feet flat on the floor at all times, you can bend your hips and lift your torso far more smoothly than any other way. This may seem tricky at first, but if you concentrate on your core and focus, you will get the hang of it. This movement ensures muscles are engaged and you are making the most out of the exercise.
Reverse the movement
Once you’ve lifted your torso off the floor and have engaged all of the muscles, you can then bend your hips again and begin to lower yourself into the starting position. If you lower yourself relatively slowly, you will benefit more from the action.
And that’s it; that’s how you perfect a sit-up!
One of the most important things to remember is to focus on your form. It doesn’t matter how fast or slow you are doing a sit-up, if you have the proper form, every movement will count. The slower you go, the more you can focus on your form and the better the outcome of the session will be. When it comes to sit-ups, it’s not about how many you can do, it’s about perfecting each rep for maximum impact. Another really important aspect of a sit-up is to not use your hands. This is a core exercise that will help build and tone abdominal muscles as well as other muscles; using your hands will take away from that and ultimately, the sit-up won’t be as beneficial.
Once you have perfected your sit-up, you can then begin to focus on other floor exercises, like crunches, Russian twists, or even yoga.