Sit Up
Description
The sit-up is the classic floor ab exercise where you lie on your back with knees bent and sit all the way up to an upright seated position. It targets the rectus abdominis and hip flexors through full spinal flexion.
Muscle Group
Equipment Required
Sit Up Instructions
- Lie on your back with knees bent, feet flat. Anchor feet or leave free.
- Hands behind your head, across your chest, or extended forward.
- Sit up by flexing your spine. Rise to a full upright seated position.
- Lower under control back to the floor.
- Do not pull on your neck if hands are behind your head.
- Move with control — do not use momentum.
- Aim for 15 to 25 reps per set.
- Classic ab exercise used since the beginning of fitness training.
Sit Up Form & Visual
Sit Up Benefits
- Classic ab exercise — simple and effective
- Full range of spinal flexion
- No equipment needed
- Builds rectus abdominis strength
- Universally known and accessible
- Progressive with weight or decline
Sit Up Muscles Worked
- Rectus abdominis
- Hip flexors
- Obliques (secondary)
