The Pros and Cons of Sit-Ups
By Sara Butler
Sit-ups used to be the go-to exercise to get your core muscles into shape. Recently, other exercises such as planks have dethroned the sit-up, but does that mean you should give up on them? Not necessarily! When done the right way, there are some definite pros to sit-ups -- but when done wrong, they can lead to injury. Here are some pros and cons of sit-ups so you can decide for yourself if they need to be included in your exercise routine.
The Pros of Sit-Ups
There are some benefits to sit-ups that you should be aware of. They include:
- Improved core strength - Sit-ups can improve the strength of your core muscles if you use the correct form. You should work with a trained professional to show you the correct sit-up form if you want them to be effective.
- You do them every day - Sit-ups incorporate a movement you do several times per day -- getting up from a lying position
The Cons
Doing sit-ups isn't all strong core muscles and being able to get up off the floor without feeling like a turtle. There are drawbacks such as:
- It can lead to injury - Many people don't do sit-ups correctly and because of that, they can get hurt doing them. Hunching forward and putting pressure on the lower back can lead to back injuries.
- They can be bad for posture - If you do sit-ups incorrectly, then they can only work to reinforce poor posture habits. Remember, when you work out you should be striving to offset the posture you've been in most of the day, such as sitting. Bad habits you have during the day shouldn't be reinforced during your workout.
What Can You Do Instead?
If you think the negatives of sit-ups outweigh the positives, then what can you do instead? You've already heard planks mentioned, but there are many others you can do. Consider adding one of these to your workout routine:
- The bird dog - This is an exercise in which you get on all fours and extend one leg behind while extending the arm on the opposite side out in front of you, then repeat on the other side
- Compound movements - These are exercises you do together that work out multiple muscle groups and engage more than one joint. Some good examples are squats, lunges, and hip thrusters.
For tips on how to exercise safely, talk to the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.