Reverse Sit Up: Easy Core Isolation Exercise For Six Pack Abs

Feature image for reverse sit up post. With an image of a man performing the exercise on left and a graphic of the exercise on the right.

Reverse Sit Up definitely is a very good exercise to work your core. Do you expect to get exceptional form and get stronger Iliopsoas (Psoas Major & Iliacus)? Then simply begin using this how-to guide so that you begin immediately.

Reverse Sit Up Summary

  • Primary Muscles: Iliopsoas (Psoas Major & Iliacus)
  • Secondary Muscles: Adductor Brevis, Adductor Longus, Pectineus, Rectus Femoris, Sartorius, and Tensor Fasciae Latte
  • Equipment: Body Weight
  • Mechanics Type: Isolated
  • Force: Pull
  • Utility: Auxiliary
Graphic image of a fit man performing alternate cable triceps extensions.

Reverse Sit Up Instructions

  • Get down on your back in a sit-up position, preferably on a mat.
  • Place your hands to the sides for support.
  • Raise your legs by flexing your hips while maintaining your knees bent.
  • Continue to roll your knees toward shoulders by flexing your core, raising your hips from the mat.
  • Return until hips and feet touch the mat.
  • Continue the Reverse Sit-Up for 10-20 repetitions.

Video Tutorial

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Reverse Sit Up Muscles

Target (Agonist)

  • Iliopsoas (Psoas Major & Iliacus)

Synergists

  • Adductor Brevis
  • Adductor Longus
  • Pectineus
  • Rectus Femoris
  • Sartorius
  • Tensor Fasciae Latae

Dynamic Stabilizers

  • None

Stabilizers

  • Latissimus Dorsi
  • Levator Scapulae
  • Rhomboids
  • Trapezius – Lower
  • Trapezius – Middle
  • Trapezius – Upper

Antagonist Stabilizers

  • None
Image of the skeletal muscular system with the muscles used in the reverse sit up exercise highlighted in red and the rest in blue.

Benefits of Reverse Sit Up

The Reverse Sit Up exercise is an excellent way to target the iliopsoas (psoas major and iliacus) muscle group. This muscle group is responsible for hip flexion and stabilization of the lumbar spine. Strengthening the iliopsoas can improve your overall posture, reduce back pain, and improve overall performance in any activity involving hip flexion. Additionally, this exercise will help increase core strength and stability, resulting in better balance and coordination. The Reverse Sit Up is a great way to build strength and stability in your iliopsoas muscle group, while also helping to improve your overall fitness level.

Tips for Performing Reverse Sit Up

You’ve landed at the right location if you want to forge ahead your ability to perform reverse sit up. Using these suggestions can enable you to take full advantage of this amazing exercise. You’ll have the ability to develop your core muscles, and reduce your chance of getting hurt. Let’s begin and take a look at how these suggestions will help you.

  • Make sure your feet are flat on the ground – This will ensure that you get the most out of the exercise, as it will help you to keep your body in a straight line throughout the entire movement.
  • Keep your chest high and your back arched – This will help to activate your core muscles and provide an effective workout for your abs.
  • Focus on the contraction at the top of the move – This will help you to really work your abdominal muscles and get the most out of the exercise. Plus, it’ll feel great!

Benefits and Tips Video

Reverse Sit-ups for Belly Fat

Frequent Mistakes To Avoid

Staying away from errors might mean the distinction between a successful workout and an injury when executing reverse sit up. From bad form to not keeping your core engaged, these mistakes can reduce the productiveness of the exercise and can even increase your risk for injury. Not only can avoiding these errors increase your strength, but also can assist in you feeling more assured and inspired when at in the gym. Thus, it is now your turn to maximize your results from this exercise and enjoy the benefits of a successful workout.

  • Not engaging their core muscles – Not engaging their core muscles during the exercise can lead to reduced effectiveness and an increased risk of injury.
  • Not keeping their feet flat on the floor – Keeping their feet off the ground during the exercise can cause instability, leading to poor form and potential injury.
  • Bouncing up and down – Bouncing up and down rather than a slow and controlled movement can put too much strain on the back and neck muscles, leading to muscle soreness or even injury.

Variations and Complementary Exercises

If you want to add more variety to your workout routine, there are several variations, complementary, and alternative exercises that work similar muscles as the Reverse Sit Up. These exercises can be used as an alternate way to target those same core muscles for a more complete ab workout.

Graphic image of Hanging Knee Up.

Hanging Knee Up: Hanging Knee Up is a great complementary or alternative exercise for Reverse Sit Up. It is an abdominal exercise that works the same muscles as Reverse Sit Up, but from a different angle. To do this exercise, start by hanging from a bar with your arms extended and your legs bent at 90 degrees. You then raise your knees up to your chest and then lower them back down to the starting position. This exercise works your lower abs, obliques, and hip flexors, making it a great alternative or complementary exercise to Reverse Sit Up.

Graphic image of Hanging Pike.

Hanging Pike: Hanging Pike is a great complementary or alternative exercise to Reverse Sit Ups. It is an exercise that works the core and upper body, while also improving balance and coordination. It requires a pull up bar to be performed properly and requires you to hang from the bar with your arms straight and your feet together. Then you need to lift your legs and torso up into a pike position, making sure to keep your core tight throughout the exercise. Hanging Pike can be a great way to target the same muscles as Reverse Sit Ups, while also challenging the body in different ways.

Graphic image of Hollow Hold.

Hollow Hold: The Hollow Hold is a great complementary or alternative exercise for the Reverse Sit Up. It targets the core muscles in a different way, by requiring the body to maintain a hollow position with the lower back pressed against the floor. To perform a Hollow Hold, the individual lies flat on their back and tucks their chin towards their chest. The arms and legs are then lifted off the ground slightly, while maintaining the hollow position. This exercise is beneficial for strengthening the lower back and abdominal muscles, making it a great alternative or supplement to the Reverse Sit Up.

Check Out These Top Bodyweight Exercises

Graphic image of Hanging Leg Raise.

Hanging Leg Raise: The Hanging Leg Raise is a great alternative or complementary exercise for the Reverse Sit Up. It works the same muscles as the Reverse Sit Up, but in a different way. The Hanging Leg Raise requires you to hang from a bar and raise your legs up and down. This exercise focuses on strengthening your core, including your abs and lower back, while also targeting your hip flexors. It’s a great way to engage more muscles than just those used in the Reverse Sit Up, making it a great addition to any workout routine.

Graphic image of Hands Up Crunch.

Hands Up Crunch: Hands Up Crunch is a dynamic abdominal exercise that offers an alternative or complementary exercise to the Reverse Sit Up. This exercise starts with the individual lying on their back and bringing their arms up over their chest. They then move into a crunch position, by raising their chest and shoulders off the floor. The individual then returns to the starting position, using their hands to help them up. This exercise engages the core muscles and is a great way to target the upper and lower abdominal muscles. It can also be used as an alternative exercise to the Reverse Sit Up, which targets the same muscle groups but with a different form of resistance.

Graphic image of Crunch.

Crunch: Crunch exercises are a great alternative or complementary exercise to Reverse Sit Ups, as they focus on strengthening the same muscles. A crunch is a simple exercise that can be done anywhere, anytime. It involves lying on the ground with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor, and hands behind your head. To perform a crunch, you must contract your abdominal muscles and curl your torso up towards your knees while keeping your neck in line with your spine. This exercise is great for targeting the abdominal muscles and improving core strength, which will enhance the results of a Reverse Sit Up.

Opposing Complementary Exercises

To round out the workout, it is beneficial to include exercises that focus on opposing muscle groups. This helps to create balance in the body, allowing for improved posture and overall strength. The following exercises work the opposite muscles as the exercise Reverse Sit Up and should be included as part of a complete workout regimen.

Graphic image of Barbell Good Morning.

Barbell Good Morning: The Barbell Good Morning is a great complimentary exercise to the Reverse Sit Up. This exercise works the posterior chain muscles, including the glutes, hamstrings, and lower back. It is an excellent way to increase strength and stability in the lower body and also helps with balance. By working the opposing muscle groups, the Barbell Good Morning can help improve the overall performance of the Reverse Sit Up by increasing strength and stability in the lower body, which is crucial for proper form during this exercise.

Graphic image of Good Mornings With Bands.

Good Mornings With Bands: Good Mornings With Bands are an excellent way to complement Reverse Sit Ups, as they target the opposing muscle groups. By performing Good Mornings With Bands, you are working the posterior chain which includes the glutes, hamstrings, and back. This exercise helps to strengthen and stabilize the lower back and core muscles, which are essential for maintaining proper form during Reverse Sit Ups. The resistance from the bands also helps to ensure that your muscles are engaged throughout the entire range of motion. Good Mornings With Bands are a great way to build strength and improve posture while also helping to enhance the benefits of Reverse Sit Ups.

Graphic image of Smith Machine Good Morning Off Pins.

Smith Machine Good Morning Off Pins: The Smith Machine Good Morning Off Pins is the perfect complement to the Reverse Sit Up exercise. This exercise works the opposing muscle group to the Reverse Sit Up, helping to increase flexibility and strength in the lower back, glutes, and hamstrings. The Smith Machine Good Morning Off Pins provides a safe and secure way to perform this exercise. It keeps your spine in a neutral position and allows you to focus on proper form and technique. Additionally, it allows for a greater range of motion, helping to activate more muscle fibers for maximum results.

Recap

Reverse sit ups are a great way to get fit and strengthen your core muscles! Not only are they simple to do, but they also offer numerous benefits such as improved posture and balance, better coordination, and increased abdominal strength. When performing this exercise, make sure to engage your core muscles and keep your back close to the floor. Remember to avoid arching your back and jerking your torso up. If you want to get the most out of your reverse sit up routine, it is important to practice consistently and to challenge yourself with more difficult variations. Now that you know how to do a reverse sit up, why not give it a try? Who knows? It might just be the key to unlocking your fitness goals. For more fitness tips and advice, be sure to check out our other articles!

References: Wikipedia | ExRx.net | PubMed.gov

Pin image for reverse sit up post. With an image of a man performing the exercise on Top and a graphic of the exercise on the Bottom.

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