Sit-ups are one of the most common exercises used to strengthen the core, but a physical therapist is saying what many of us have been wanting to hear for years. Stop doing them because they make no sense.
Recommended Videos
Here’s why. Very rarely - if ever - do you use your core while laying on your back. So why would you train your body to work that way? Focus on standing up instead!
Chris Kolba, a physical therapist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, says you should focus on exercises and movements that look and feel like the types of activities you regularly perform in the upright position. This is better for building muscle essential for sport injury prevention and will lead to better carry over for normal activities.
He offers these simple alternatives that you can do instead of sit-ups. Use a medicine ball or small hand weight and vary the speed of these vertical core exercises in 2-3 sets of 12-15 reps.