Sit Up: How-to, Tips & More
The Sit Up is a beginner compound exercise for your abs. You do it with bodyweight. It is a good fit when your goal is muscle growth.
Besides the abs, it also works your hip flexors, so it fits well in a session that trains those muscles together.
Muscles worked
Abs
Primary
Hip flexors
Secondary
How to do the Sit Up
- Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat.
- Cross your arms on your chest.
- Sit up until your chest is close to your thighs.
- Lower slowly.
Sit Up tips
- Hook your feet under something if they lift.
Sets and reps
Most lifters do well with 10 to 25 reps per set, and 10 to 25 reps is where this exercise tends to work best. Use a weight that leaves one or two reps in reserve on every set, and add weight once you can complete all your sets at the top of the range. It also works well in a superset with an exercise for the opposite muscles.
Equipment
Bodyweight
Type
Compound
Sit Up alternatives
More abs exercises
Ab Wheel Rollout
Ab wheel
Band Kneeling Crunch
Resistance band
Barbell Rollout
Barbell
Bird Dog
Bodyweight
Cable Crunch
Cable machine
Cobra Stretch
Bodyweight
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does the Sit Up work?
The Sit Up mainly works your abs, with help from your hip flexors.
How many sets and reps should I do?
A good starting point is 10 to 25 reps per set, and many lifters get the best results between 10 to 25 reps. Use a weight that leaves one or two reps in reserve.
Is the Sit Up good for beginners?
Yes. The Sit Up is considered beginner and is a good choice if you are new to training. Start light and focus on form.
What equipment do I need for the Sit Up?
You need bodyweight.
Add Sit Up to your program
Bite fills in your weights, tracks your progress and tells you when to go heavier.
Coming soon