Sit-Up with Arms on Chest
The full sit-up with the arms crossed on the chest, so the hands cannot pull on the neck and the abs lift the torso alone.
How to do it
Setup
On your back, knees bent, feet flat, arms crossed on the chest.
Steps
- Curl the head, the shoulders and the back off the floor in turn.
- Sit up until the chest is over the thighs.
- Roll back down under control, the arms staying crossed.
Common mistakes
Throwing the arms forward to get up: they stay crossed; the abs do the lift. Feet lifting off the floor: slow the curl, or tuck them under a support while learning. Dropping back flat: lower one vertebra at a time.
Breathing
Exhale sitting up, inhale rolling down.
