Sit ups

Sit ups focus on strength and endurance in the abdominal muscles. It focues on muscles you use when yo walk and run,

When you do a sit up you start on your back and lift your upper body all the way up. This means that muscles such as hip flexors, lower back, chest and neck are also activated. You therefore have a fuller range of motion than crunches, where you do not go all the way up and where the focus is isolated to the abdominal muscles.

1. Lie down on your back. For extra challenge lay down on a bosu ball or a pilates ball.

2. Bend your legs and place feet firmly on the ground to stabilise your lower body.

3. Cross your hands to opposite shoulders or place them behind your ears, without pulling on your neck.

4. Curl your upper body all the way up toward your knees.

5. Slowly, lower yourself down, returning to your starting point.

Avoid sudden movements and do not use your hands or hips to do the heavy work. Also avoid to pull your head forward when lifting up. Let the abdominal muscles perform the movement. The exercise should not hurt the lower back and neck, so avoid the exercise if you have injuries in these areas.