Sit Up
Learn how to perform Sit Up, a Core exercise, with setup, breathing and common mistakes.
Sit Up · Preview
Setup
Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet comfortably secured. Place your hands over your chest or beside your head and prepare to lift your whole upper body.
Start phase
Curl up with your core and continue until you reach a seated position. Let your abs lead and keep your torso rising without momentum.
End phase
Return as if placing your spine on the floor one segment at a time. Do not drop down; control the descent with your core.
Target muscles
Because the range is larger than a crunch, slow control on the way down matters more. Reduce the height if your core loses tension.
Common mistakes
Using arm momentum or throwing your body down strains your back. Keep both the rise and descent slow before chasing more reps.
Breathing
Exhale as you rise and inhale as you lower. Reset your breath briefly at the top before the next rep.
Coach tip
If a sit-up is too difficult, begin with partial reps. Simply slowing the descent can greatly increase difficulty and engagement.
