Building Abs

[kris715]

Hi All,

I'm curious if sit-ups are good for building abs, I'm not looking to lose body fat and that's not what my question is, I just want to know how good sit-ups really are for growing abs.

Thanks,
Kris

[SuffolkPunch]

They are OK yes. The key point for any ab exercise it to curl the spine. If you just move from the hips only, you are mostly using the hip flexors

[smokinal]

As Suffolk said, yes, they will activate the abs but don't limit yourself to just those. There are so many good ab/core/oblique movements out there. Look up and try many for ultimate ab development

[Garage Rat]

They can be but as mentioned above the hip flexors come into play a lot and upper abdominals get more of a hit.
Try putting your heels behind some heavy dumbbells (i use a heavy kettle bell)and do your sit up like that.
It takes out hip flexors and there is some hamstring involvement but these feel pretty good.
One of my favorite is to do this style while on a BOSU ball(half ball).
You stretch the ab area more and get a good contraction.

[GeneralSerpant]

The way they anchor from the knee to the fulcrum at the hip makes them essentially a hip flexor exercise, but it's hard to avoid training abs with them imo.

As far as all the initial-stage core exercises, they will advance the framework of the stomach after you start doing them, but they aren't that complicated for the abdominals particularly when you have your hands on the chest.

They're actually my favorite right now, and I've always thought they're great as a well rounded movement any way you slice it, but they're hardly the only thing that I wish to do on any given abs day.

[William2018]

Hi All,

I'm curious if sit-ups are good for building abs, I'm not looking to lose body fat and that's not what my question is, I just want to know how good sit-ups really are for growing abs.

Thanks,
Kris

Yes, I recommend decline sit-ups as a good core exercise. I do 6 sets of 50 on a decline bench after HIIT cardio. When I'm pressed for time I lower the reps and hold a plate while doing them.

[GeneralSerpant]

I anchor my feet with but a pair of 25 lb dumbbells which makes it harder to dominate with the hip flexors.

[jamieh69]

[QUOTE=kris715;1628926553]Hi All,

I'm curious if sit-ups are good for building abs, I'm not looking to lose body fat and that's not what my question is, I just want to know how good sit-ups really are for growing abs.

Thanks,
Kris[i feel it is really goody as it is the tension that builds that makes the core solid]

[dandogg]

Hi All,

I'm curious if sit-ups are good for building abs, I'm not looking to lose body fat and that's not what my question is, I just want to know how good sit-ups really are for growing abs.

Thanks,
Kris

focus on using only abs...
add weights when needs be

[dandogg]

Yes, I recommend decline sit-ups as a good core exercise. I do 6 sets of 50 on a decline bench after HIIT cardio. When I'm pressed for time I lower the reps and hold a plate while doing them.

also a fan of the big ole Decline for abs

[kris715]

All,

thanks for the replies.

Much appreciated, Kris