Do Sit Ups Work – 3 Shocking Reasons Revealed
The age old question continues. Do sit ups really work? Conventional and traditional abdominal training incorporates plenty of sit ups into routines. But modern research has started to question not only the physical gains from sit ups, but the health effects as well.
Most people call me a straight-shooter, and I'm proud of that. So I won't sugar coat this. Sit ups suck. 'Suck Suck Suck.' This 'so called' exercise is a complete waste of your time.
Here's 3 reasons why.
1) First and foremost, they just aren't effective. The main problem with the traditional sit up is the isolation aspect of it. Nowadays fitness gurus drool over dynamic exercises targeting more than one muscle group or fibers. Normal sit ups fall into the dreaded isolation exercise category. The main muscle group sit ups work is the rectus abdominus muscles, it is only a small part of the abdominal area. If these are the only abdominal muscles being worked it creates that horrendous 'bulged and bloated' abdominal look, super unattractive. So do sit ups work for getting your 6 pack? Well I think point 1 makes a strong opening statement towards no.
2) The health factor. It is quite funny that the majority of people don't even perform the basic sit up correctly. You can probably tell I'm not the biggest fan for sit-ups, so when it comes to my opinion I'm a little bias. To be honest, if you can perform proper sit-ups, they're not ALL bad. But for the most part, people don't know how to and they're hindering their body more than helping it. How? Well a sit up is performed correctly by keeping your back entirely straight through the whole sit up, this kind of sit up is semi-effective - but most people don't have the abdominal strength to keep their back straight. They counter by bending their back. Bending and straightening your back through the sit up motion creates an unhealthy strain on their back at its weakest point. The back of the spine contains the most nerves and has the highest potential for being subject to nerve damage. This is the exact part that bends and is being strained during a sit up. Other factors include tucking your neck, this puts unneeded stress on your upper spinal column which can be the catalyst for neck pain, stiffness, and knots. And finally, the notorious hands. Placing your hands behind your head is going to give you 2 problems. The first, causes your neck to tuck which I already mentioned. And the second, unknowingly people use their hands as momentum which defeats and purpose of the sit-up. So do sit ups work? Well, for the majority of people they're doing more harm than good. Improper form and technique leads unwanted stress and pain in other areas of your body.
3) The alternatives. Comparing sit ups to basically every single other abdominal exercise out there, sit ups create almost no gain at all for shaping your stomach. Simply said, picking almost any alternative core or ab exercise would be much better suited for developing ab definition and a toned tight core. I always find it hysterical how someone brags, 'do sit ups work? Of course, I do 200 situps daily dude and look at my abs,' but this intelligent stud fails to complete a set of hanging leg raises. What does that tell you about they're core and abdominal strength?
So do sit ups work? I think the 3 reasons stated above put this myth to rest. Sit ups are a waste of your time, for multiple reasons. They're ineffective, a hazard to your health (especially your back), and alternative exercises are much more beneficial. http://www.real6packabs.com is a great free e-newsletter that covers everything you need to know to achieve your 6 pack. From diet to unique & dynamic core exercises - sign up and get a free e-book, 'Insider Secrets to a Lean Body' to help jump start your fitness journey.
I hope I've helped inform you on this age-old question. Many people get stuck in between conflicting fitness advice and perpetuate a cycle of doing out-dated exercises and poor dieting. My little rant on sit ups above should be a good start to push you in the right direction. http://www.real6packabs.com can definitely set you on the right path for that cutting 6 pack, super-toned body, and get you in the best shape of your life.
Most people call me a straight-shooter, and I'm proud of that. So I won't sugar coat this. Sit ups suck. 'Suck Suck Suck.' This 'so called' exercise is a complete waste of your time.
Here's 3 reasons why.
1) First and foremost, they just aren't effective. The main problem with the traditional sit up is the isolation aspect of it. Nowadays fitness gurus drool over dynamic exercises targeting more than one muscle group or fibers. Normal sit ups fall into the dreaded isolation exercise category. The main muscle group sit ups work is the rectus abdominus muscles, it is only a small part of the abdominal area. If these are the only abdominal muscles being worked it creates that horrendous 'bulged and bloated' abdominal look, super unattractive. So do sit ups work for getting your 6 pack? Well I think point 1 makes a strong opening statement towards no.
2) The health factor. It is quite funny that the majority of people don't even perform the basic sit up correctly. You can probably tell I'm not the biggest fan for sit-ups, so when it comes to my opinion I'm a little bias. To be honest, if you can perform proper sit-ups, they're not ALL bad. But for the most part, people don't know how to and they're hindering their body more than helping it. How? Well a sit up is performed correctly by keeping your back entirely straight through the whole sit up, this kind of sit up is semi-effective - but most people don't have the abdominal strength to keep their back straight. They counter by bending their back. Bending and straightening your back through the sit up motion creates an unhealthy strain on their back at its weakest point. The back of the spine contains the most nerves and has the highest potential for being subject to nerve damage. This is the exact part that bends and is being strained during a sit up. Other factors include tucking your neck, this puts unneeded stress on your upper spinal column which can be the catalyst for neck pain, stiffness, and knots. And finally, the notorious hands. Placing your hands behind your head is going to give you 2 problems. The first, causes your neck to tuck which I already mentioned. And the second, unknowingly people use their hands as momentum which defeats and purpose of the sit-up. So do sit ups work? Well, for the majority of people they're doing more harm than good. Improper form and technique leads unwanted stress and pain in other areas of your body.
3) The alternatives. Comparing sit ups to basically every single other abdominal exercise out there, sit ups create almost no gain at all for shaping your stomach. Simply said, picking almost any alternative core or ab exercise would be much better suited for developing ab definition and a toned tight core. I always find it hysterical how someone brags, 'do sit ups work? Of course, I do 200 situps daily dude and look at my abs,' but this intelligent stud fails to complete a set of hanging leg raises. What does that tell you about they're core and abdominal strength?
So do sit ups work? I think the 3 reasons stated above put this myth to rest. Sit ups are a waste of your time, for multiple reasons. They're ineffective, a hazard to your health (especially your back), and alternative exercises are much more beneficial. http://www.real6packabs.com is a great free e-newsletter that covers everything you need to know to achieve your 6 pack. From diet to unique & dynamic core exercises - sign up and get a free e-book, 'Insider Secrets to a Lean Body' to help jump start your fitness journey.
I hope I've helped inform you on this age-old question. Many people get stuck in between conflicting fitness advice and perpetuate a cycle of doing out-dated exercises and poor dieting. My little rant on sit ups above should be a good start to push you in the right direction. http://www.real6packabs.com can definitely set you on the right path for that cutting 6 pack, super-toned body, and get you in the best shape of your life.
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