How many Sit-Ups Should You Do a Day

Many times, we are aware of the kind of exercise that we have to do to bring in results, but we are not sure of the details―like, what is the correct technique of the same or how many times we are supposed to do it.

If you've been asked to, or you've read up about the advantages of the same and want to take up doing sit-ups, you will need to know the details. In this story, we are concentrating on the exercise of sit-ups.

I understand if some of you are facing the same dilemma as I am―How many sit-ups per day will get one the desired results? That depends on what you need from those sit-ups. We will get into the different factors that determine the number of sit-ups that one has to undertake for the desired results to show, as well as how best to do them.

Even before getting to the question regarding the number of sit-ups that have to be done, and the end result of the same, it becomes important to know the correct method of going about this. This is important so that there is no muscle pull or any other complication that will arise.

There is a very high risk that while doing sit-ups, instead of the abdominal muscles being worked, the hip and leg muscles might be worked upon and that is why one needs to be careful about how they go about this exercise. Add to that the fact that sit-ups are actually different from crunches.

This is how a sit up should be done in order to bring about maximum benefits. Make sure you master this one before getting into the number game for the same.

1. Lie on your back on a flat, padded surface, bend your knees at a 90º angle and place your feet flat against the ground.

2. Make sure that the balls and the soles of the feet are flat against the ground before you start working out.
3. Initially, place your hands at the sides instead of on the chest or behind your head.

4. Only when you have mastered the ways in which to make this absolutely perfect should you go on to putting your hands over your chest in a crisscross fashion.

5. Putting the hands behind the head allows for the most intense workout and that is what one should eventually aim at achieving. But while doing so, remember never to interlock the fingers or there is a high risk of injuring your neck.

6. The entire focus should be on making the ab muscles work, so every action should be calculated thus.
7. Do every sit up with calculated ease, very, very slowly. That is the only thing that will ensure that the exercises are being done correctly.
8. Take a deep breath and slowly pull yourself up. Exhale while you come up.

9. While going up, stop midway and tense your ab muscles. Maintain this position for 5 seconds and lower yourself to the ground again.
10. Keep the ab muscles tight throughout this time and don't lose the pull.

11. Stopping midway is a very demanding exercise as opposed to going all the way up. Therefore it is OK if you cannot manage many at first. Increase the number of sit up counts with each workout and do not overdo it in the first session.

12. Another variation that you can try while mastering the sit up is the curl down. Which means that you rise all the way up into a sitting position.
13. Add sit-ups and not sets with each workout.

And now for the all-important question - 'How many sit-ups should I do a day to see results?' There will be varied versions of the same as well - How many sit-ups to do per day to lose weight or to get a flat belly and develop some abs.

Here's the deal, sit-ups is an exercise type that needs to be done correctly or else there will be no benefits to take from it. There's no point rushing through it and then expecting that you'll see better and faster results. And there definitely is no pegging of how many sit-ups to do per day in a definite number, because that is just not how it works.

It's as good as asking if you press the elevator button once or a hundred times, the elevator isn't going to get there any faster. You have to do it right the first time and maintain its own pace for greater results to show and to get an answer to 'How many sit-ups a day to lose weight'.

As said earlier, start of with 5 - 8 sit-ups in one session initially and then add one to every session thereafter. When you are able to bring in 15 with ease, you can start off with another set and then slowly increase the sets to about 3 - 4 a day. That should help you plenty with an answer to 'How many sit-ups to get abs'.

Getting to the queries regarding 'How many sit-ups should I do a day to get a flat stomach, or to lose weight or gain those 6 pack abs' - one thing needs to be made crystal clear. Sit-ups are not going to make you automatically lose weight and gain muscle.

These primarily help to tone the abdominal muscles. These include cardiovascular exercises and a controlled diet so that the excess weight can be lost in the right manner. Add to that the sit-ups and these will then definitely help to get the process working faster and more effectively. That is a given.

So more than anything else, one needs to get into action an overall diet and exercise routine, and include sit-ups as an important part of the same. This will ensure whatever results that you are hoping for. But not quick and fast... in its right time.

Disclaimer - This story is for informative purposes only and does not in any way attempt to replace the advice offered by an expert on the subject.