How to do Sit Ups

Video Transcript

"The sit up is probably not a favor by many professions because of the risk of back problems. But, if done correctly the sit up can be a very effective exercise for the abdominals and the hip flexors. I will demonstrate how to do a proper sit up now. Okay, the old fashioned sit up you want to make sure you have something on your feet for leverage a 45 degree bend in the knee is about appropriate. You want to make sure you take your arms and press them across your chest. At this point you can lower yourself down; when your lower back or upper back touches you can reverse direction. When your elbows touches that’s a complete sit up. I’ll demonstrate a few sit ups. Now I’m going to demonstrate a couple ways to not do a sit up. One of the ways to not do a sit up is you don’t want to lace your hands behind your neck and pull on your neck. Obviously this can cause you some problems in the cervical area of your neck. This is not good. Another way not to do a sit up is to extend your legs all the way up and do your sit up this way, rounding your back here. "