I can't do a situp

[RearAdmiral]

So I cannot do a proper situp unless my feet are held down, under something, etc. I don't really know why I can't do one. I'm 24, 5'9" or so, 154 lbs. I am pretty athletic, played soccer for 13 years and sprinted in HS and still play several sports as well as work out fairly regularly.

I'm wondering if there is some sort of severe deficiency in some core muscle somewhere or if it's just how my body is. Once I get my feet under something I can do them no problem.

Basically I will start doing the situp and my body will just stop moving once I hit the top of what would be a crunch.

I've been curious about this lately and wanted to see others thoughts/suggestions on this.

 

[blackdogdeek]

you just need to build up your stomach muscles. if you don't use them they become accustomed to only the bare minimum required of them. a situp is an extremely focused action compared to the generic everyday activities you normally go through.

if you can only do them with your feet anchored, do them with your feet anchored and continue increasing the number of reps you can do. eventually, you will be able to perform them without your feet being anchored, unless your upper body is massive and your legs weigh as much as a couple of twigs.

 

[YoungGun21]

I'm pretty in shape, and I can't really do them unless my feet are held down either. Try just pushing the end of your shoes up against a wall with your feet like normal, that is about all I need now.

I prefer crunches anyway.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

I'm pretty in shape, and I can't really do them unless my feet are held down either. Try just pushing the end of your shoes up against a wall with your feet like normal, that is about all I need now.

I prefer crunches anyway.

You're compensating by using your hip flexors. If you cannot situp without hooking/bracing/holding down of your legs, you have extremely weak abdominals. The solution? Stabilization drills, isometric holds, etc. Doing crunches and situps are terrible training tools for your body though. The most important thing they do is control your pelvis, not your trunk so don't train them to move your trunk.

 

[NickyL]

You need to strengthen your abdominals, isolation exercises such as situps are really that effective either. I would recommend using a fitness ball for core crunches.

 

[mizzou]

I am extremely top heavy, situps with no weight down is extremely awkward but anchored i can crank out a respectable and reasonable 45 military hands behind head form situps in one minute with no stopping.

Im pretty sure doing it without any anchoring whatsoever and you are awkwardly doing them, stop it before you injure yourself.

I agre with most everything socially challenges says except " if you cant do a situp without feet anchored u have extremely weak abdominals."

Body proportion, weight distribution, and coordination all have alot to do with this. Some people make it look so natural, it makes you wonder what your issue is.

I guess yeah you should be able to do at least ONE and if you cant then you are weak, but dont get so wrapped up into it as a benchmark for ab strength.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

I am extremely top heavy, situps with no weight down is extremely awkward but anchored i can crank out a respectable and reasonable 45 military hands behind head form situps in one minute with no stopping.

Im pretty sure doing it without any anchoring whatsoever and you are awkwardly doing them, stop it before you injure yourself.

I agre with most everything socially challenges says except " if you cant do a situp without feet anchored u have extremely weak abdominals."

Body proportion, weight distribution, and coordination all have alot to do with this. Some people make it look so natural, it makes you wonder what your issue is.

I guess yeah you should be able to do at least ONE and if you cant then you are weak, but dont get so wrapped up into it as a benchmark for ab strength.

Clinically, if you can't sit yourself up without anchored legs, you have weakness. Strength proportional to your body size is insanely important in daily function. It doesn't matter if you're 120lbs or 300lbs, if you can't sit yourself up, you have weak abdominals in proportion to your body. All the things you mentioned - body proportion, weight distribution, coordination - are all things that contribute to your overall relative strength. If you're not coordinated, that's a problem. If you don't have the strength to overcome your body's build, that's a problem. In all these cases, the ruling is relative weakness and it can contribute to a lot of pathology (especially low back and hip).

 

[killster1]

do the p90x ab ripper hahahah tons of ab exercise with out real situps. i like it but really havnt noticed anything and been doing it about a month exactly.. but i really dont know if i should be doing it every other day or less? was sore the first few times but now not sore at all from it (but i fail to do it exactly as they do it still.. scissors are hard for me with one leg hovering)