Ab Curls (sit ups)
A quick and easy exercise suitable for beginners; that can be made more difficult for progression if required. | |
Workout focus: | Tummy muscles |
Type of activity: | Strength |
Benefits: | Better posture (core stability) & flatter stomach |
Time needed: | 5 minutes |
Intensity level: | Easy to moderate |
Instructions: | As a starting position, lie down on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor - approximately hip width apart. Position your hands so that the palms are face down, on the top of your thighs. Draw your tummy muscles in (like you're pulling your tummy button in towards your spine) and breathe in. Slowly curl your body upwards, so that your shoulders begin to lift up from the floor. Your shoulders need only move a few inches to begin with. Breathe out as you curl up, sliding your hands up along your thighs - don't try and force the reach with your hands, and keep your arms slightly relaxed. Breathe in on the way back down as you "uncurl" your body. The emphasis of this exercise is on reducing the distance between your ribcage and the line of your hips, rather than lifting your back from the floor (curling action!). |
How to make it more difficult: | Try 5 sets of 5 to begin with, with a 45 seconds rest between each set/group; then try to add one repetition per week after the first two weeks. |
| Supplied by: |
