8
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Accepted
Are sit-ups actually harmful?
As a preface, although your concerns about the validity of the field of chiropractic are entirely warranted, it appears that Dr. Stuart M. McGill is indeed qualified. He was a former professor at the ...
- 6,181
6
votes
Are situps considered a good core workout?
Short answer: No. As an exercise they are sub-par, and as a workout they don't even qualify. But we can tweak it, and add to it, in order to reach our goals. I agree with the article author's decision ...
- 18k
5
votes
Accepted
What is the right way to use this sit-up bench
That looks incredibly uncomfortable.
However, there are probably two ways to use this. One is for decline situps, where your knees would go over the bar at the end of the bench and your feet hook ...
- 23.1k
5
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How much weight am I lifting doing sit-ups?
Well, one thing you should note is that 64% is the standard percentage of the upper-body compared to the entire body.
On the other hand, a sit-up is pretty hard to measure. A body-builder who has ...
- 245
4
votes
The Maths of Exercise
Trying to calculate in advance how much weight an untrained individual should be able to use in their first session is an exercise in futility.
First session in the gym, just start with a weight that ...
- 14.7k
3
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Lower back-friendly abs exercises
Based on the source you added, the main negatives of sit ups are pressing the spine against the floor and the incorporation of the hit flexors. There are other bodyweight ab exercises that don't ...
- 1,190
3
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No matter how hard I try, I just can't lift my back up in sit-ups
Situps are not the only exercise that can strengthen your core. Other exercises include planks, bicycles, crunches, and inverse crunches. I am not sure your fitness levels but each of these would help ...
- 613
2
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No matter how hard I try, I just can't lift my back up in sit-ups
Buy some resistance bands. Loop it around your back and anchor to a wall/pole/whatever, and use the rubber band to propel you up.
2
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No matter how hard I try, I just can't lift my back up in sit-ups
Try hooking your feet under something you can pull against.
I did situps for years like this, in the end I could do situps without this counterbalance.
- 31
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Are there any benefits to using a sit-up bench for sit-ups?
The key difference between a floor and a bench sit-up is that the latter affords us the ability to alter our load profile.
In a sit-up from the floor, the greatest load on the hip flexors and ...
- 6,181
2
votes
Standing on feet while doing sit-ups
A trainer should acquire your consent before touching you in any way.
This should be common sense, but apparently it is not. I have done some personal training, and there can be times where touching ...
- 4,313
2
votes
Accepted
Best way to perform sit-ups in order to avoid bruising
Based upon your description, it sounds as though you have most likely just bruised the tissue covering the spinous processes of the vertebral column. This is easy to do if you are performing your sit-...
- 6,181
2
votes
Accepted
Planks vs. Sit-ups / crunches
The main function of the rectus abdominus is to curl the torso forward. Contrary to popular belief and method, bending at the hips works hip/leg flexors, with minimal involvement to the abdominal ...
- 23.1k
1
vote
Vertical Sit-up Bench
The title of this question describes such a piece of equipment pretty well. I don't think a vertical one like in your picture has its own name, some just decline further than others. Just search '...
- 1,190
1
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Planks vs. Sit-ups / crunches
Since building a sixpack will require some muscle growth, I'd argue that neither are effective. You'll be at a point where you can do dozens of sit-ups very quickly, which might be fine for the ...
- 595
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Are there any benefits to using a sit-up bench for sit-ups?
Learn how to bat hang... It's basically when you grip a pull up bar with your feet.
Hold on the bar with your feet and then do sit ups upside down, alternatively you can grip the bar with your thighs ...
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1
vote
I can't do curl ups without someone holding my feet down?
Don't get discouraged, repetition is the only way to improve.
Try putting your hands behind your head and with your legs bent at a 90-degree angle and your feet firmly on the ground as you begin to ...
- 111
1
vote
Why cant I do any situps without someone holding my feet
It is because when you've used the machine at the gym you haven't had to activate the hip flexors, that is the muscle group connecting your legs to pelvis and abdomen. These are activated when you do ...
- 11
1
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sit-ups form: difference between straight back/shoulders back, vs. hunched
You shouldn't do sit-ups at all. Sit-up are mainly done by your hip flexors, but these are strong enough most of the time. Do really target your abs, you should do crunches. https://en.wikipedia.org/...
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