Sit ups

[Buddhastic]

Not sure I am posting in the right section but wonder if anyone can help. I would like to tone up and am struggling to do 'ONE' sit up. Is there an exercise I could do to build up my stomach muscles to enable me to start being able to do sit-ups.

[loserface]

I really struggled with them aswell till I got one of these. You do need to make sure your breathing out as you sit up or else you'll end up with a pot belly. Also hold in your pelvic floor as much as possible, this will help train your tummy muscles to stay flat :)

Maybe try having a look for an online tutorial to make sure you're doing it right or go for a trial day at the gym to be taught how?

[DrNortherner]

[4aminsomniac]

I bought some of those unstable trainers (like MBT but cheaper; Sketchers). The biggest change I noticed was to my abs; amazing! I can't do sit-ups because of a back problem, but don't need to now, I just wear my wacky trainers whenever I go for a walk.

[Buddhastic]

Thank you for your replies. I have just done 5 sets of 'the plank' and my arms shake like mad. I think I will also try the trainers. Unforunately, loserface I struggle to use it properly it always hurts my neck. Thank you all.

[HazleNutt]

there are many, many ab exercises but a full sit-up is not a good one, mainly because it exercises your hip flexors instead of abs. Check youtube, there are many exercise videos there. or google, sites like that: exercise.about.com/od/abs/ss/abexercises.htm are helpful.

And don't forget to exercise yout back, you need balance. Can't show off nice abs of your posture is horrible.

[sweetheart]

you should try pilates, it's very gental but it's all about core strength.

[WhereTheWildThingsWere]

This is great Flat Belly Fast I do 10 or 20 minutes every morning.

The excercises constantly vary so it is a million times more effective than sit ups and so much less boring.

[JosieRosie]

Wow 4am, tell me more about your wacky trainers! I have a bad back too and have found that sit-ups and crunches just kill my back and neck so would love an alternative coz I certainly have a gut that needs busting! What sort of change did you notice? Do the trainers make you hold your abs in more than usual walking?

[TracyK]

If you can try and remember to hold your tummy in tight for 30 secs every wee while - esp if out for a walk - that will help.

Also do backwards situps first - rather than hauling yourself up the way. Sit down, get yourself stable and slowly try and roll back to lying down. Only lean back a little to start with - but lean back till you can feel your muscles engage - then sook in your tummy and try and stay there. That will gently strengthen them and then you can do some up the way sit ups.

[flipflopflap]

I second WhereTheWildThingsWere DVD suggestion, I love the blast off belly fat section as it doesn't involve sit ups at all and is only ten minutes long, I started doing that everyday and managed to work my way up to doing crunches and the plank, it's definitely worth it, especially as it's so cheap!

[ujjayi]

Google the Tupler Method. It is one of the most effective methods of toning your tummy post-natally - much better than sit ups.

When you are doing the Plank make sure you have equal weight between your hands and feet - otherwise you won't be engaging your core correctly. Although you are on your tip-toes, you want to push the heels towards the back of the room, away from you, so the weight shifts and sits evenly between upper and lower body :)

[HazleNutt]

Or what about gym? LesMills has an excellent new core training class, CXWORKS. 30 minutes only but not easy, I promise.

[MistyMountainHop]

have also heard crunches are better than sit ups OP. and they are easier!