Overview
Sit-ups are a common exercise performed for the abdominal muscles. Its an old-school exercise favoured by gym teachers and drill instructors, and though it has fallen out of favor with some exercise experts, many people, including fitness professionals, still count the sit-up among their favorite ab exercises.
Burning Calories
When your body takes energy from food and drink, it is measured in calories. These calories are what are used to fuel all of your activity, whether it is running, walking, breathing or making your heart beat. In general, it is the intensity and duration of the activity that dictates the number of calories burned. Larger, continuous movements such as cycling and jogging burn more calories than smaller movements like lifting the TV remote or even doing a sit-up.
Actual Calories Burned in Sit-ups
Bend at the knee sit-ups burn approximately five calories per minute when done continuously at a fairly vigorous rate. The abdominal muscles tire fairly rapidly, so it is unlikely that a person will do more than a few minutes of intense, continuous sit-ups. Consequently, sit-ups are not the best option for calorie burning. Doing cardio activities such as walking and swimming are much more efficient options.
Sit-up Benefits
It is important to have a strong core. The abdominal muscles play an integral role in stabilizing your body and taking stress off of your lower back. When done with proper form, the sit-up can strengthen your abdominals and your hip flexors.
Sit-up Drawbacks
Many people execute sit-ups improperly. They fold their hands behind their necks, tuck their chin into their chests and they pull on their heads when sitting up. Some people bounce and use momentum, and others sit all the way up, taking the mechanical stress off the abdominals. These and other errors make sit-ups at worst dangerous and at best a waste of time. As with all exercises, when doing sit-ups, learn the proper form before proceeding.
The Bottom Line
When executed properly, sit-ups can be an effective part of a complete core training plan that also includes other exercises. They are not, however, an effective method of burning calories and reducing overall body fat. A combined program of nutrition and cardiovascular exercise is the only way to achieve that goal.
About this Author
Dave Abbass has been writing for four years. He began writing as a member of his high school newspaper and was editor-in-chief in his final year. He currently writes at the Xaverian Weekly, the newspaper of St Francis Xavier University, where he has been a senior reporter and sports editor.
