A Question About Sit-Ups

Rothko

So, I recently started doing daily sit-ups. I'm just not sure if I'm doing them right though. I have my feet flat on the ground (about shoulder length apart) with my knees bent up and my hands joined behind my head.

Is this the right way to do them or is there another method that would be more effective.

Also, at the moment I'm doing about 20 a day. Is this a good amount to start out with or should I try doing a higher amount.

Thanks for any help.

Hanley

Why are you doing them??

Serious question.

Rothko

Just to try and keep fit. Of course, they're not the only exercises I do.

Please Kill Me

Suas11 wrote: »

I have my feet flat on the ground (about shoulder length apart) with my knees bent up and my hands joined behind my head.

Is this the right way to do them or is there another method that would be more effective.

Also, at the moment I'm doing about 20 a day. Is this a good amount to start out with or should I try doing a higher amount.

Thanks for any help.

The main thing wrong with that, is your hands joined behind your head. This can strain your neck. Ideally, place your fingers at your temples and do your sit-ups that way. Also, try to do 20, take a break and do another 20. I try to do something every day (cycling/jogging/weights/boxing) but no matter what I'm doing, I'll always get three sets of 50 sit ups done.

If you can't do 2 sets of 20, then do 2 sets of 10 and build it up.

Best of luck.

Hanley

Suas11 wrote: »

Just to try and keep fit. Of course, they're not the only exercises I do.

You're missing what I'm getting at - I was going to suggest that their may be similar more suitable alternatives. If they met your goals/reason behind you doing the exercise.

SteelyDanJalapeno

Leg raises are great and much safer imo

Rothko

Hanley wrote: »

You're missing what I'm getting at - I was going to suggest that their may be similar more suitable alternatives. If they met your goals/reason behind you doing the exercise.

Oh ok, sorry. I've just noticed that I've put on a bit of weight over the last few months and I'm trying to lose it again. Ideally, I would like to lose about a stone. Apart from the sit-ups I've also being doing cycling and I've started to do some dumbbell exercises.

billyhead

Suas11 wrote: »

Oh ok, sorry. I've just noticed that I've put on a bit of weight over the last few months and I'm trying to lose it again. Ideally, I would like to lose about a stone. Apart from the sit-ups I've also being doing cycling and I've started to do some dumbbell exercises.

Diet and cardio training should be your priority trying to lose weight. A proper diet ensuring you eat less then you burn will ensure you lose weight. All sit ups will do is strengthen the ab muscles but won't lose the fat covering them

Rothko

billyhead wrote: »

Diet and cardio training should be your priority trying to lose weight. A proper diet ensuring you eat less then you burn will ensure you lose weight. All sit ups will do is strengthen the ab muscles but won't lose the fat covering them

Sit ups will help to burn calories though, won't they?

Hanley

Suas11 wrote: »

Sit ups will help to burn calories though, won't they?

No.

At least not any worth talking about.

Burkatron

Suas11 wrote: »

Sit ups will help to burn calories though, won't they?

As stated above, not a significant amount to make a difference! They will however most likely aid in shortening your hip flexors & if you don't have an imbalance between your anetrior & posterior chain muscles already (most people do) these will aid in creating one! Diet for weight loss!