You’ve had 3 weeks to practice your push-ups, now it’s time to learn how to do sit-ups.  Check out the latest video in my free online exercise program.

Over the past 20+ years few exercises have been demonized as much as the sit-up.  As a result, the sit-ups impotent cousin – the crunch – was born.  Because the sit-up was performed improperly and/or people did them before they were physically strong enough, many personal trainers and other fitness professionals erroneously thought the sit-up was bad for the back.  Not so.

But this isn’t the time for a history of the sit-up.  Rather, it is time for you to learn the right way to do sit-ups so that you stop wasting time and effort with crunches, and all of the variations.

Watch the video, and follow the learning points presented here, in week 9 of my free online exercise program, The Program to Improve Your Fitness.

To perform proper sit-ups:

Lie flat on ground with heels pushing into mat and feet slightly apart

            Cross arms across chest and place hands on shoulder

To initiate the movement contract abdominal muscles as if doing a crunch, but continue to move and sit up.

When sitting up, do so under control and not abruptly making the effort to keep hands on shoulders throughout the move, while maintaining good posture

On the way down to the starting position, hold abs tight and control the movement until shoulders touch the mat

Repeat for 5-10 repetitions, making sure not to bounce or use momentum to sit up

To modify the sit-up – if you cannot do a complete rep – have a training partner apply light pressure to the lower shins, or place your feet under a stable piece of furniture

This is the same progression that I have used with my personal training clients for 20 years, and I can say from experience that this is the way to learn how to do proper sit-ups.  So start practicing and let me know if you have any questions or comments by dropping me an “E” at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .