Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Mastering the basics
• Warnings

By doing sit-ups and other abdominal exercises, you will not only get a flatter stomach, but also stronger core muscles. You just have to do them the right way.The great thing about most ab exercises is that you don't even need special equipment. And once you have mastered the standard exercises, you can try the somewhat heavier variants for an even better result. Just avoid the common mistakes described in this article or you could damage your neck and the bottom of your spine.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Mastering the basics

1. Lie on your back and bend your knees. Abdominal exercises work best if you do them on a softer surface such as a mattress. Keep your knees bent at a 90 degree angle and put your feet flat on the floor.
   • Do the exercises to make it even more comfortable for yourself on a mat, if you have one.
2. Do abdominal exercises no more than two to three times a week. For the best results, it is better not to do abdominal exercises every day. Your muscles grow the most when they recover, so it's important that you give your abs a day off in between workouts.
   • For example, you can do abdominal exercises on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and no abdominal exercises on the days in between.
3. When doing sit-ups, try not to push your feet down. Pushing your feet down may make abdominal exercises easier, but it does more harm than good. If you press your feet down, you will naturally bend your hips more, which can overload your body and cause back pain.
   • Instead of pushing your feet down, try to keep your feet flat on the floor when doing sit-ups.

Warnings

• Sit-ups can cause neck pain and injuries to the bottom of your spine. Other abdominal exercises are safer in that regard, and just as effective, such as plank exercises called "dead bugs" (or moving your arms and legs like a beetle lying on its back) and mountain climbers, leg lifts and crunches.