Sit ups; a technique question

Generally its not good because it can encourage muscles other than stomach to take the strain of the excercise... it can also place strain on the back...

I understand that it can be hard to sit-up without using this sometimes but you will benefit from the control
 
ive got a strange way of doing my abs but it really works (ive got a rock hard stomach with definition on the muscles).

I stand upright with my knees a little slack with my hands behind my back pressing on the low point of my spine. I then do reps in blocks of 50 of bending my back 90 degrees forward and then back upto straight. I might not be the most correct way of doing it but it works for me so much that a number of family members and friends have started doin it.
 
Hmm, the spine problems don't sound very promising...

Big Chris said:
Mate of mine who is a gym instructor lies on a mat with his feet against a wall, seems to work for him judging by the washboard he has under his shirt.
Click to expand...

Flat against the wall? That sounds interesting.
 
TrueBlue said:
ive got a strange way of doing my abs but it really works (ive got a rock hard stomach with definition on the muscles).

I stand upright with my knees a little slack with my hands behind my back pressing on the low point of my spine. I then do reps in blocks of 50 of bending my back 90 degrees forward and then back upto straight. I might not be the most correct way of doing it but it works for me so much that a number of family members and friends have started doin it.
Click to expand...
I really fancy trying your technique now, but my co-workers might prefer that I wait 'til I get home!
That's reminded me that I've been meaning to knock up a diy frame to allow me to do that exercise where you perch off the ground with your fore-arms on two short horizontal posts and then raise your knees up. I remember that it used to be very effective at the gym, but also very annoying when others did that exercise with no control and used to make such a racket shaking the machine to bits.
 
snedger I'm far from an expert but that sounds like hanging leg raises or some variation thereof(maybe someone wants to correct me?). You could also do dips with a frame like that which are another good exercise.

For sit-ups I quite like using a decline bench but my local gym doesn't have them so I just use the mat with my legs bent about 90 deg.
 
One More Solo said:
Flat against the wall? That sounds interesting.
Click to expand...


I used to do them like this

sit9oj.jpg


Feet against the wall with knees bent, then sit up towards your knees, though it does semm to strain my spine aswell
 
TrueBlue said:
ive got a strange way of doing my abs but it really works (ive got a rock hard stomach with definition on the muscles).

I stand upright with my knees a little slack with my hands behind my back pressing on the low point of my spine. I then do reps in blocks of 50 of bending my back 90 degrees forward and then back upto straight. I might not be the most correct way of doing it but it works for me so much that a number of family members and friends have started doin it.
Click to expand...

I have had to have time off work for a few days with a bad back before now. I really hate doing sit-ups for fear of doing more damage to my back.
Even a dozen or so sit-ups hurts. Never sure if I am doing them right or not.

Looking forward to trying this - could really work wonders. Thanks.
 
Hi guys,

Also on this subject, what do you think of those metal cradles for doing crunches with?
I use them because they seem to mean less strain on my hips/neck, plus I seem to move when doing crunches flat on the mat, but I always feel like Im being a bit girly!

I also find lying on a bench and hooking my feet works well (and also allows you to alternate if you want to work your obliques and used to put my feet against the wall till I got told off!
 
I stopped doing them because if you dont get the right technique it puts a lot of strain on your back, pain thats just useless and I tend to get a workout on my legs more lol

I use the abs machine if your gym has one, by metal cradle is that the thing that you lean your head on and push forward on the bars? They seem ok, its whatevers best for you.
 
zain said:
I use the abs machine if your gym has one
Click to expand...
Those things always make my back ache :confused:
I go for the feet-hooked-under-something technique, is fine with me, and best recreates what I need for RAF selection (they have someone hold feet), with fingers on temples, elbows pointing out in front at all times. One rep is shoulder blades on floor, up to elbows on top of the knees. I managed 43 in a minute last time, and that was after a bleep test and a press up test :)
 
One More Solo said:
Flat against the wall? That sounds interesting.
Click to expand...
Yeah, on a gym mat which is a couple of inches thick so supports your back somewhat, then feet flat against a wall with you legs bent 90 degrees as in Marvt74's pic.

He's a qualified gym instructor and personal trainer and seems to know his stuff.
 
interesting thread :)

So whats the general consensous on how far your lift your shoulders/back up?

Do people go for 90 degrees or just lifting shoulders a few inches off the mat, or something inbetween? In the old days it used to be a full situp but these days seems to be more of a smaller movement.
 
a gym ball is good too, feet flat on the floor, roll the ball to the part of your back that is most comfortable when doing the sit-ups. It gives your back support to fit its natural curved shape.

gonna try TrueBlue's technique though
 
NumptyUK said:
interesting thread :)

So whats the general consensous on how far your lift your shoulders/back up?

Do people go for 90 degrees or just lifting shoulders a few inches off the mat, or something inbetween? In the old days it used to be a full situp but these days seems to be more of a smaller movement.
Click to expand...
I go for elbows on top of the knees (see earlier post)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom