Can't do an exercise. Need some help.

[Gaiseric]

Alright I've been working out for awhile now and I am at a point where I want to do situps. I can do crunches, but I have a lot of trouble doing situps. Some days I can do 15+, some I can't do any. On the days I can't do them I am not sore, tired, or feeling off in any way. I think my form is wrong somehow or I'm just not using my core muscles if that makes sense.

I know this might not be the place to ask this but what the hell. Any help is appreciated.

Background: 6'4, 240lbs. I have to learn what I am doing wrong because I plan to join the military.

Captcha: diabetic ndingi (appropriate i suppose)

 

[dmase]

When you do a situp don't do the ones they taught you in gym class they're useless. Put your hands to your side with your knees bent and push the top half of your body up, not towards your knees but as far up as you can. Having your arms to the side may feel awkward but it keeps your from putting them under your head and just bending your neck when you think your going up.

You don't need to touch your knees and make sure to keep your back out of the motion as much as possible.

Now side crunches where you work your obliques go up to your knees.

 

[Gaiseric]

When you do a situp don't do the ones they taught you in gym class they're useless. Put your hands to your side with your knees bent and push the top half of your body up, not towards your knees but as far up as you can. Having your arms to the side may feel awkward but it keeps your from putting them under your head and just bending your neck when you think your going up.

You don't need to touch your knees and make sure to keep your back out of the motion as much as possible.

Now side crunches where you work your obliques go up to your knees.

Thanks buddy. That works much better and with less strain on my neck. Also I put a pillow under my back and I could do more, though I don't know why.

Should I continue to do them with the pillow at least until I can build up some strength to do them without?

 

[dmase]

When you do a situp don't do the ones they taught you in gym class they're useless. Put your hands to your side with your knees bent and push the top half of your body up, not towards your knees but as far up as you can. Having your arms to the side may feel awkward but it keeps your from putting them under your head and just bending your neck when you think your going up.

You don't need to touch your knees and make sure to keep your back out of the motion as much as possible.

Now side crunches where you work your obliques go up to your knees.

Thanks buddy. That works much better and with less strain on my neck. Also I put a pillow under my back and I could do more, though I don't know why.

Should I continue to do them with the pillow at least until I can build up some strength to do them without?

Do some situps with out the pillow and pay attention to your lower back. you can probably feel it moving, the pillow reduces that movement(assumption on my part) and if its big enough increases the lever.(Your upper body being the lever) Keep the pillow its tougher with it on your upper abs.

If you get up to 60 or so sit ups like this without stopping i'd switch to Jack knifes. For the life of me I can't find the ones i do on youtube, they all use balls or involve bending your knees. Basically you lay flat put your arms and legs straight and slowly bring the two above your abs like your trying to touch your toes above your core. You don't actually need to touch your toes to get the full effect.

Exercising isn't a race where you have to do as many reps as possible. The only person your trying to beat is your self so going really fast isn't correct form. You go slowly up and slowly down, engaging your muscles as long as possible.

 

[Gaiseric]

When you do a situp don't do the ones they taught you in gym class they're useless. Put your hands to your side with your knees bent and push the top half of your body up, not towards your knees but as far up as you can. Having your arms to the side may feel awkward but it keeps your from putting them under your head and just bending your neck when you think your going up.

You don't need to touch your knees and make sure to keep your back out of the motion as much as possible.

Now side crunches where you work your obliques go up to your knees.

Thanks buddy. That works much better and with less strain on my neck. Also I put a pillow under my back and I could do more, though I don't know why.

Should I continue to do them with the pillow at least until I can build up some strength to do them without?

Do some situps with out the pillow and pay attention to your lower back. you can probably feel it moving, the pillow reduces that movement(assumption on my part) and if its big enough increases the lever.(Your upper body being the lever) Keep the pillow its tougher with it on your upper abs.

If you get up to 60 or so sit ups like this without stopping i'd switch to Jack knifes. For the life of me I can't find the ones i do on youtube, they all use balls or involve bending your knees. Basically you lay flat put your arms and legs straight and slowly bring the two above your abs like your trying to touch your toes above your core. You don't actually need to touch your toes to get the full effect.

Exercising isn't a race where you have to do as many reps as possible. The only person your trying to beat is your self so going really fast isn't correct form. You go slowly up and slowly down, engaging your muscles as long as possible.

Cool.

I have to tell myself its not a race all the time. I've been trying to get in shape for 2-3 years. Lost 70 lbs and I'm a lot stronger, but it can easily get frustrating.

Thanks again for the help and the tips.