ex_DHMGL4

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Waist · Body Weight

Assisted Sit Ups

beginnerstrengthMale & female model

Assisted Sit Ups is a beginner isolation strength exercise that works the abs (waist), with the hip flexors assisting. It needs no equipment beyond your own body weight. A typical prescription is 3 sets of 10-15 reps, and it burns about 4.3 calories per minute.

Target
Abs
Body part
Waist
Equipment
Body Weight
Category
Strength
Mechanic
Isolation
Force
Push
Sets × reps
3 × 10-15
Calories / min
≈ 4.3 kcal

Primary muscles

  • Abdominals · Rectus Abdominis

Secondary muscles

  • Hip Flexors · Iliopsoas

How to do Assisted Sit Ups

  1. Lie on your back on the floor, with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor, close together. Have your partner hold your feet, holding them securely for stability.
  2. Cross your arms over your chest or place your hands behind your head.
  3. Engage your core and lift your upper body towards your knees.
  4. Slowly lower your upper body back to the starting position with control. Repeat the movement for the desired number of repetitions.

Form tips

  • Exhale as you lift your upper body towards your knees and inhale as you lower it back down.
  • Perform the exercise slowly and with control to maximize muscle engagement and effectiveness.
  • Keep your elbows out to the sides and avoid pulling on your neck with your hands.

Assisted Sit Ups alternatives

More abs exercises

Assisted Sit Ups FAQ

What muscles does Assisted Sit Ups work?

Assisted Sit Ups mainly works the abs in the waist (Rectus Abdominis). The hip flexors work as secondary muscles.

What equipment do you need for Assisted Sit Ups?

None. Assisted Sit Ups is a body weight exercise, so you can do it at home or anywhere with enough space.

How many sets and reps of Assisted Sit Ups should I do?

Start with 3 sets of 10-15 reps. Pick a load or variation where the last one or two reps are hard but your form stays clean.

Is Assisted Sit Ups good for beginners?

Yes. Assisted Sit Ups is rated beginner, so it's a sound choice while you learn to train the abs.

How many calories does Assisted Sit Ups burn?

About 4.3 calories per minute for a person of around 70 kg, based on a MET value of 3.5. Ten minutes of work is roughly 43 calories; heavier people burn more.

What is a good alternative to Assisted Sit Ups?

Other exercises for the abs include Exercise Ball Sit Ups, Decline Sit Ups Dumbbells, Dumbbell Overhead Sit-Up and Band Decline Sit Up.

For developers

Use Assisted Sit Ups in your app

Get this exercise and 1,900+ others from the WorkoutX API: 720p MP4 animations at 30 fps without the watermark, male and female models, muscles, instructions and form tips in 7 languages.

# One request returns the exercise and its 720p media links
curl "https://api.workoutxapp.com/v2/exercises/ex_DHMGL4" \
  -H "X-WorkoutX-Key: YOUR_API_KEY"

{
  "id": "ex_DHMGL4",
  "name": "Assisted Sit Ups",
  "model": "male",
  "counterpartId": "ex_VWZQ5A",
  "target": "Abs",
  "equipment": "Body Weight",
  "media": {
    "mp4": "https://…/ex_DHMGL4/mp4-720.mp4?…",
    "poster": "https://…/ex_DHMGL4/poster.jpg?…"
  }
}