| Sit-ups have been a staple exercise in martial arts for | | | | are off the floor. Do not pull on your head during the |
| many years. Through the years the techniques have | | | | exercise. Inhale and lower your back to the floor. |
| changed somewhat, but the overall idea is the same. | | | | Repeat the exercise. |
| In the past, the head was pulled up with the hands, | | | | An alternative method is to place your arms across |
| which had a tendency to put undue stress on the | | | | your chest. There is a tendency to pull on the head |
| neck. With new routines, the head is not pulled on | | | | when your hands are behind your head. By placing |
| with the hands and the neck is no longer stressed. | | | | your arms across your chest, it prevents you from |
| As always, consult a doctor before beginning any | | | | pulling on your head and adds a little weight to your |
| new exercise routine. | | | | upper body. |
| Sit-ups can strengthen the abdominal (stomach) | | | | Another old style technique has changed as well. That |
| muscles, as well as the lower back. Begin with three | | | | is bringing your chest all the way to your knees. This |
| sets of ten repetitions each. As your conditioning | | | | is no longer the advised method. Bringing your chest |
| improves increase the number of repetitions and | | | | all the way to your knees puts undue stress on your |
| sets. Traditionally, sit-ups are as follows. Lie on the | | | | lower back. You could very easily tear or strain a |
| floor with your legs bent at the knees. Place your | | | | muscle in your lower back. And there is evidence that |
| hands behind your head and take a deep breath. | | | | just lifting your upper body off the floor will |
| Exhale and raise your body until your shoulder blades | | | | strengthen the abdominals more efficiently. |