Name of Stretch: Sit-Ups
Muscle it Prepares: Abdominal Muscle Group
Here Andy Thomas discusses this important exercise for athletes to use and how it is done correctly.
Fig 1 Fig 2 Fig 3
“The Sit-up Is a popular stretch used by many to tone stomach muscles, warm-up before exercise or develop a six pack!! However as I have demonstrated in the images above there are some common misconceptions about the best way to perform this stretch to maximise its effect. When done properly this exercise strengthens the stomach muscles by working the abdominal group – the rectus abdominus muscles (or ‘Abs’) and the three layers of muscles that flank them. Remember, before performing any stretching exercise, you should always remember safety first.
The first image (Fig 1) shows a commonly used technique for doing sit-ups which does in fact minimise the effect of the stretch not enhance it as is widely believed. With your feet held during the exercise the quality of your abdominal curl is lessened. Fig 2 shows the easiest of all sit-up styles. By using your hands to help pull you up you can limit the immediate strain on your abdominal muscles enabling you to increase the number of repetitions you can do. This also serves to help tone your chest and arms and will ease the strain on your neck muscles. The most difficult of all conventional sit-ups is displayed on Fig 3. Though when doing this type of sit-up avoid throwing your arms in the air as it will limit the effectiveness of the exercise. I would recommend this method of sit-up to those who already have a solid abdominal muscle base to work with.