Sit-up (exercise)
Encyclopedia
The sit-up is a strength training exercise commonly performed with the aim of strengthening the hip flexors and abdominal muscles. It begins with lying with the back on the floor, typically with the arms across the chest or hands behind the head and the knees bent in an attempt to reduce stress on the back muscles and spine, and then elevating both the upper and lower vertebrae from the floor until everything superior to the buttocks
is not touching the ground. Some argue that situps can be dangerous due to high compressive lumbar load and may be replaced with the crunch
in exercise programs.
of fat. Gaining a 'six pack
' requires both abdominal muscle hypertrophy
training and fat loss over the abdomen—which can only be done by losing fat from the body as a whole.
File:US Navy 100504-N-5208T-010 Crew member demonstrate the proper Navy sit-up during a SEAL Fitness Challenge at the Birmingham YMCA.jpg|Crew member demonstrates the proper Navy sit-up during a SEAL Fitness Challenge at the Birmingham YMCA
File:US Navy 080619-N-3666S-005 Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Zach Bernat competes in the sit-up phase of the Search and Rescue competition during Surface Line Week 2008.jpg|Aviation Ordnanceman competes in the sit-up phase of the Search and Rescue competition during Surface Line Week
File:Crunches.jpg|Using weight.
Buttocks
The buttocks are two rounded portions of the anatomy, located on the posterior of the pelvic region of apes and humans, and many other bipeds or quadrupeds, and comprise a layer of fat superimposed on the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius muscles. Physiologically, the buttocks enable weight to...
is not touching the ground. Some argue that situps can be dangerous due to high compressive lumbar load and may be replaced with the crunch
Crunch (exercise)
The crunch is one of the most common abdominal exercises. It primarily works the rectus abdominis muscle.-Form:A crunch begins with lying face up on the floor with knees bent. The movement begins by curling the shoulders towards the pelvis. The hands can be behind or beside the neck or crossed over...
in exercise programs.
Abdominal muscular hypertrophy
Strength exercises such as sit-ups and push-ups do not cause the spot reductionSpot reduction
Spot reduction refers to the belief, long viewed as a myth, that fat can be targeted for reduction from a specific area of the body. There is a common view, although many people believe that view is misguided, that it is possible to achieve spot reduction through exercise of specific muscles in...
of fat. Gaining a 'six pack
Rectus abdominis muscle
The rectus abdominis muscle, also known as the "six pack", is a paired muscle running vertically on each side of the anterior wall of the human abdomen . There are two parallel muscles, separated by a midline band of connective tissue called the linea alba...
' requires both abdominal muscle hypertrophy
Muscle hypertrophy
Muscle hypertrophy is an increase in the size of muscle cells. It differs from muscle hyperplasia, which is the formation of new muscle cells.-Hypertrophy stimuli:A range of stimuli can increase the volume of muscle cells...
training and fat loss over the abdomen—which can only be done by losing fat from the body as a whole.
Gallery
File:US Navy 100504-N-5208T-010 Crew member demonstrate the proper Navy sit-up during a SEAL Fitness Challenge at the Birmingham YMCA.jpg|Crew member demonstrates the proper Navy sit-up during a SEAL Fitness Challenge at the Birmingham YMCA
File:US Navy 080619-N-3666S-005 Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Zach Bernat competes in the sit-up phase of the Search and Rescue competition during Surface Line Week 2008.jpg|Aviation Ordnanceman competes in the sit-up phase of the Search and Rescue competition during Surface Line Week
File:Crunches.jpg|Using weight.