Sit Up - Frog

Recommendations: 2-3 Sets, 10-15 Reps

Beginner Abdominals Hip Flexors Strength Body Only Pull Gym Home

Purpose: Sit up exercises strengthen the upper abdominal muscles.

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

Lie on an exercise mat on the floor with your lower back pressed against the floor, with your legs straight out along the floor and your feet locked under something that will keep them from lifting from the floor (your workout partner could hold them). Place your hands lightly against the sides of your head. This is the starting position. Slowly raise your shoulders and upper back by contracting your abs until you are upright. 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.

Step 1

Lie on your back on the floor with hands against the sides of your head, legs straight, feet held onto the floor.

sit-up-frog-step-0

Lie on an exercise mat on the floor with your lower back pressed against the floor, with your legs straight out along the floor and your feet locked under something that will keep them from lifting from the floor (your workout partner could hold them). Place your hands lightly against the sides of your head. This is the starting position.

Step 2

Slowly raise your shoulders and upper back. Pause.

sit-up-frog-step-1

Slowly raise your shoulders and upper back by contracting your abs until you are upright. Exhale during this movement. Hold this position for 2-3 seconds.

Step 3

Return to the starting position.

sit-up-frog-step-2

Slowly return to the starting position. Inhale during this movement. Lie on an exercise mat on the floor with your lower back pressed against the floor, with your legs straight out along the floor and your feet locked under something that will keep them from lifting from the floor (your workout partner could hold them). Place your hands lightly against the sides of your head.