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STOP Doing Sit-Ups – 3 Exercises Better for Six-Pack Abs With No Equipment

Improve your core anytime, anywhere.

If you want to strengthen your core there are way better options than sit-ups. And that is, perhaps, the main reason why you should stop doing sit-ups. Check out the better options below.

A strong core is perceived as being strong overall with a low fat body percentage. In fact, anybody usually wants to target their midline with exercises to make it stronger and, hopefully, get that coveted six-pack look.

I got two bad news for you then. If you think abs exercises will get you a six-pack, you are mistaken. The only thing that it will do is strengthen your core. If you want a six-pack look and do not have that yet, you should aim to lower your body fat percentage.

Source: Cottonbro Studio on Pexels

You already have the abs, but it is likely hidden underneath a layer of fat. The worst part about trying to lose belly fat is that you simply cannot target it specifically. There are no exercises that target solely the belly fat. You will have to do workouts with consistency to burn more fat overall, eat less calories and, with time, you will see your six-pack abs.

Beginner’s Guide to A Six-Pack – Eating and Training Tips

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However, if you are relatively skinny or just want to improve your core strength, then we beg you to stop doing sit-ups.

Stop Doing Sit-Ups

stop doing sit-upsSource: RODNAE Productions on Pexels

Why should you stop doing sit-ups if it is the most basic and used abs exercise out there? Just because it is highly popular, doesn’t mean it is highly effective.

In the video below, sports teacher and YouTube fitness guru Alex Lorenz explains why you should stop doing sit-ups and lists 3 abs exercises better them. He is the co-founder of Calisthenic Movement and has trained Calisthenics since 2012, uploading videos regularly for those people interested in getting in shape using only their body weight.

First and foremost, if you do sit-ups you are mainly training the rectus abdominis, only one part of your abs. Sit-ups can be limited in terms of intensity and can have a negative impact on your spine.

Stop Doing Sit-Ups – 3 Exercises That Are Better for a Six-Pack

1. Knee Raise

Leg raise or knee raises are great for your abs, but the knee raise made the cut here because it targets your abs without being hindered by your mobility or lack of.

The knee raise can be done in a supporting or hanging position. Make sure you don’t use any momentum to do the movement as it takes away the tension from your abs.

athlete does toes to bar progression doing knee raises

2. Knee to Elbow Plank + Side Plank

These are two exercises combined that will get the best bang for your buck and that is why it is on this list of abs exercises better than sit-ups.

Always make sure to have a posterior pelvic tilt to engage the abs more for the first part of the exercise. Aim for a hollow body position for optimum core engagement.

For the plank, keep your body as horizontal as possible, don’t just hang in your structures, push your arm, leg and shoulder blade into the ground.

The side plank can be done with one or two legs on the ground – one leg is much harder to stabilise yourself.

3. Plank

Best Beginner Calisthenics ExercisesSource: Olivia Bauso / Unsplash

If a normal plank is too easy for you, you can adjust the difficulty by lengthening the lever between your elbows and your feet, the two supporting points. The further you move your body backwards, the harder the exercise gets.

However, the bigger the distance, the more stress you will put on your spine which is bad if you cannot hold the position with your pelvis tilted forward.

This exercise can also be done by taking off one foot from the ground or one hand, or both, to add instability and create more tension on your abs.

To fully understand why you should stop doing sit-ups altogether and to learn exactly how to perform each of the exercises described earlier, click on the video below in which Alex Lorenz talks about everything in a detailed manner.

VIDEO – Stop Doing Sit-Ups

Now that you know you should stop doing sit-ups for a variety of reasons and still want to upgrade your knowledge and six-pack training, click on the links below to get closer to achieving your fitness goals!

22 Bodyweight Ab Exercises Ranked Worst to Best

The Only 3 Abs Exercises You Need For A Ripped Six-Pack

Best Barbell Abs Exercises for a Six Pack

10 HIIT Exercises to Lose Belly Fat Faster

12 Weird Core Exercises for an Amazing Six-Pack

The PERFECT Six Pack Abs Workout (Sets and Reps Included)

6 Rules to Get a 6 Pack

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