Sit-ups
BWBodyweightStrength
Sit-ups are a classic bodyweight exercise where you lie on your back with knees bent, hands behind your head or across your chest, and curl your torso upward toward your knees to perform a controlled crunch before lowering back down. The primary purpose is to build core strength and endurance, targeting the rectus abdominis (abs) while also engaging the obliques and hip flexors. No equipment is required beyond a mat for comfort, making it ideal for beginners, home trainers, or anyone seeking to improve abdominal stability and posture.
How to Perform Sit-ups
- 1Lie on your back on a flat surface with knees bent at 90 degrees and feet flat on the floor, hip-width apart.
- 2Place your hands behind your head with fingers lightly touching, elbows flared out to the sides.
- 3Engage your core by pulling your belly button toward your spine.
- 4Inhale to prepare, then exhale as you curl your upper body forward, lifting your shoulders and upper back off the ground.
- 5Continue curling until your torso is upright, keeping your lower back slightly rounded and gaze forward.
- 6Inhale as you slowly lower your upper body back down with control, stopping just before your shoulders touch the ground.
- 7Repeat for desired reps, maintaining steady breathing throughout.
- 8Key form tips: Keep your feet anchored if possible; avoid pulling on your neck with hands—lead with your chest. Common mistakes: Using momentum or jerking up, arching the lower back, or lifting too high into a full V-sit.
