I cant do a sit up properly without having my feet held down

[Maximilian]

Im not incredibly weak or anything but i just cant do a situp without something holding my feet down, and theres nothing that i own thats any good for that. The sofa isnt low enough, neither is the bed and theres nothing else heavy enough...

What can i do instead of sit ups? Or how can i solve this problem?

EDIT: See this:

http://answers.yahoo.com/quest...=20061005064107AAbtSI2

What that guy said about a swiss ball, would that help?

 

[Alone]

Do some crunches.

 

[presidentender]

Sit-ups are not the only ab exercise. Do something else; I prefer big power lifts which target the core secondarily, like deadlifts or squats.

 

[Astroluna]

do em downhill, feet facing lower untill you can do em with no help.

 

[Jahee]

Originally posted by: presidentender
Sit-ups are not the only ab exercise. Do something else; I prefer big power lifts which target the core secondarily, like deadlifts or squats.

The guy is just looking for an alternative to sit-ups.. Why does everyone spout this compound lift stuff when its not needed?

 

[yelo333]

Originally posted by: Jahee

Originally posted by: presidentender
Sit-ups are not the only ab exercise. Do something else; I prefer big power lifts which target the core secondarily, like deadlifts or squats.

The guy is just looking for an alternative to sit-ups.. Why does everyone spout this compound lift stuff when its not needed?

Because...

Originally posted by: Deeko
DO STARTING STRENGTH. RIPPETOE IS MY GOD NOW. DO STARTING STRENGTH.

(Thanks for that post, Deeko. I think of it every time... )

OP, the best way to get better at sit-ups is probably to do sit-ups. There is nothing magical about them, though, so if you don't like them, just pick a different exercise. Crunches, Planks, Lying Hip Swings (a rotational exercise), etc... I'm rather partial to L-sits on the floor myself.

 

[BeauJangles]

Originally posted by: yelo333

Originally posted by: Jahee

Originally posted by: presidentender
Sit-ups are not the only ab exercise. Do something else; I prefer big power lifts which target the core secondarily, like deadlifts or squats.

The guy is just looking for an alternative to sit-ups.. Why does everyone spout this compound lift stuff when its not needed?

Because...

Originally posted by: Deeko
DO STARTING STRENGTH. RIPPETOE IS MY GOD NOW. DO STARTING STRENGTH.

(Thanks for that post, Deeko. I think of it every time... )

OP, the best way to get better at sit-ups is probably to do sit-ups. There is nothing magical about them, though, so if you don't like them, just pick a different exercise. Crunches, Planks, Lying Hip Swings (a rotational exercise), etc... I'm rather partial to L-sits on the floor myself.

L-sits are awesome. Things like knees to elbows are also really, really effective.

 

[irishScott]

Try rowing. Works out your abs and the rest of your core in the process.

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: Jahee

Originally posted by: presidentender
Sit-ups are not the only ab exercise. Do something else; I prefer big power lifts which target the core secondarily, like deadlifts or squats.

The guy is just looking for an alternative to sit-ups.. Why does everyone spout this compound lift stuff when its not needed?

Because more often then not people that want to do abs want ripped/ strong abs and squats/ deadlifts are greater in that sense.

BUT if you enjoy sit ups for the sake of sit ups then do sit ups.

OP you can't do them because your abs aren't strong enough 'yet'. With correct training you will be able to. If you have no counter balance your abs need to create the force to haul your upperbody off the floor. This is much like doing a sit up whilst your hanging upside down. Head to knees without bending at the knee significantly is NOT EASY.

Koing

 

[Jahee]

Originally posted by: Koing

Originally posted by: Jahee

Originally posted by: presidentender
Sit-ups are not the only ab exercise. Do something else; I prefer big power lifts which target the core secondarily, like deadlifts or squats.

The guy is just looking for an alternative to sit-ups.. Why does everyone spout this compound lift stuff when its not needed?

Because more often then not people that want to do abs want ripped/ strong abs and squats/ deadlifts are greater in that sense.

BUT if you enjoy sit ups for the sake of sit ups then do sit ups.

OP you can't do them because your abs aren't strong enough 'yet'. With correct training you will be able to. If you have no counter balance your abs need to create the force to haul your upperbody off the floor. This is much like doing a sit up whilst your hanging upside down. Head to knees without bending at the knee significantly is NOT EASY.

Koing

I agree, but thats not what he asked, he asked for an alternative to traditional situps?

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: Jahee

Originally posted by: Koing

Originally posted by: Jahee

Originally posted by: presidentender
Sit-ups are not the only ab exercise. Do something else; I prefer big power lifts which target the core secondarily, like deadlifts or squats.

The guy is just looking for an alternative to sit-ups.. Why does everyone spout this compound lift stuff when its not needed?

Because more often then not people that want to do abs want ripped/ strong abs and squats/ deadlifts are greater in that sense.

BUT if you enjoy sit ups for the sake of sit ups then do sit ups.

OP you can't do them because your abs aren't strong enough 'yet'. With correct training you will be able to. If you have no counter balance your abs need to create the force to haul your upperbody off the floor. This is much like doing a sit up whilst your hanging upside down. Head to knees without bending at the knee significantly is NOT EASY.

Koing

I agree, but thats not what he asked, he asked for an alternative to traditional situps?

Squats and deadlifts are an alternative

Alternatives:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/p...-%20Dragon%20Flags.wmv
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/p...a/Koing%20BulkOffs.wmv

Koing

 

[Maximilian]

Originally posted by: Koing

Originally posted by: Jahee

Originally posted by: Koing

Originally posted by: Jahee

Originally posted by: presidentender
Sit-ups are not the only ab exercise. Do something else; I prefer big power lifts which target the core secondarily, like deadlifts or squats.

The guy is just looking for an alternative to sit-ups.. Why does everyone spout this compound lift stuff when its not needed?

Because more often then not people that want to do abs want ripped/ strong abs and squats/ deadlifts are greater in that sense.

BUT if you enjoy sit ups for the sake of sit ups then do sit ups.

OP you can't do them because your abs aren't strong enough 'yet'. With correct training you will be able to. If you have no counter balance your abs need to create the force to haul your upperbody off the floor. This is much like doing a sit up whilst your hanging upside down. Head to knees without bending at the knee significantly is NOT EASY.

Koing

I agree, but thats not what he asked, he asked for an alternative to traditional situps?

Squats and deadlifts are an alternative

Alternatives:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/p...-%20Dragon%20Flags.wmv
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/p...a/Koing%20BulkOffs.wmv

Koing

Heh, those look pretty advanced dude maybe in a year or two ill try doing that.

I dont mind situps, ive gotten used to quite a few excercises i hated because i got better at them over time and now they are pretty good to do. I cant do 1 single proper situp though, i cant actually sit up if you know what i mean, not like people on youtube/tv can and my feet usually leave the ground or are about to leave the ground when i try to do situps. I can do crunches, but really i dont think im doing them correctly because it dosent hurt i dont feel any burn.

 

[rezinn]

Learn how to do crunches correctly. There are a lot of different methods and I am sure at least one of them will work for you.

 

[skace]

Originally posted by: Maximilian
Heh, those look pretty advanced dude maybe in a year or two ill try doing that.

I dont mind situps, ive gotten used to quite a few excercises i hated because i got better at them over time and now they are pretty good to do. I cant do 1 single proper situp though, i cant actually sit up if you know what i mean, not like people on youtube/tv can and my feet usually leave the ground or are about to leave the ground when i try to do situps. I can do crunches, but really i dont think im doing them correctly because it dosent hurt i dont feel any burn.

It's somewhat of a flaw to believe certain exercises are advanced.

Anyhow, the situp exercise uses both your abs and your lower back. It could actually be your lower back that is the problem. Something to think about.