Exercise of the Month: Sit Ups

The classic sit up uses your body weight to strengthen and tone the core, stabilising abdominal muscles.

How to do a Sit Up?

1. Lie down on your back, knees bent feet on the floor hip width apart.
2. Stabilise your lower body or activate the T zone. The T zone is the activation of 2 muscles the transversus abdominus and the pelvic floor. We visualise a capital letter T drawn on the front of the pelvis. The vertical line of the T is the pelvic floor muscles drawing up and the horizontal line of the T is the transversus abdominus drawing across and in.
3. Hands behind the head without pulling on your neck. Elbow wide, head relaxed. Shoulder blades down and back, chin tucked in.
4. Lift your head and shoulder blades from the ground. Exhale as you rise. Draw the ribs towards the hips, eyes on the knees.
5. Lower, returning to your starting point. Inhale as you lower. Repeat.

Benefits of a Sit Up

1. Core strength – by strengthening, toning and tightening our core we reduce the risk of back pain and injuries.
2. Strong core muscles help to keep you balanced and stable as you move thus helping to prevent falls and injuries.
3. Sit ups make your hips and back more flexible which relieves tension and tightness. Flexibility improves circulation and concentration, reducing stress and boosts energy levels.
4. Improved posture through a strong core reduces pain and tension and improves breathing. Along with enhancing athletic performance.