Sit Up - Iso Crossed Arm

Recommendations: 2-3 Sets, 10-15 Reps

Beginner Obliques Abdominals Hip Flexors Strength Smith Machine Pull Gym Home

Purpose: Sit up exercises strengthen the upper abdominal muscles.

Benefits: Sit up exercises will give you a well-defined mid-section.

Position the bar of a Smith Machine to its lowest point. Lie on an exercise mat on the floor with your lower back pressed against the floor, with your knees slightly bent and your feet locked under the bar of the Smith Machine. Cross your arms over your chest. This is the starting position. Slowly raise your shoulders and upper back by contracting your abs until you are upright. As you lift your body twist it to the right so that your left elbow comes closer to the your right knee. Exhale during this movement. Hold this position for 2-3 seconds. Slowly return to the starting position. Inhale during this movement. Slowly raise your shoulders and upper back by contracting your abs until you are upright. As you lift your body twist it to the left so that your right elbow comes closer to the your left knee. Exhale during this movement. Hold this position for 2-3 seconds. Slowly return to the starting position. Inhale during this movement. Repeat for the recommended number of repetitions.

The abs can be divided into the abdominals themselves and the obliques. The obliques are the outer abs and are used in twisting movements. For the sake of exercising, the abdominals are sometimes divided into upper abs and lower abs (this is not a technical division but something for exercising). Both upper and lower abs are used in straight line ab exercises while the upper abs are also involved in twisting movements.