How many sit-ups should you do a day to lose weight?

Overview

Strength Training and Weight Loss

While sit-ups and crunches effectively work the abdominal muscles, you won't find a magic number of sit-ups that will make you lose weight. To strengthen those muscles and look sleeker, warm up for a few minutes, and then do sit-ups until you reach the point of muscle fatigue. Rest for a minute or so, and do another set. Repeat this cycle one more time.

Cardio is King

Sit-ups help build lean muscle, which increases your basal metabolic rate, making you burn more calories even while at rest. Sit-ups--and strength training in general--comprise part of an overall weight loss regime that also includes burning calories with cardio exercise and eating fewer calories than you burn each day.

Bottom Line

You may do 100 sit-ups at a time, or you may do only one, but sit-ups alone are not going to take weight off. You need cardio and a sensible diet to reduce body fat and show off your newly toned tummy.

References

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans