Wednesday 11 May 2005

The sixty second sit-up test

Posted by speedygeoff on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 with
Abdomens are one area distance runners neglect, to their peril. Strong abdominal muscles are needed to give you lift off the ground as you run, and to take pressure off your back.
Endurance sit-ups are recommended. Try the 60 second sit-up test.
How many sit-ups can you do in 60 seconds? Take a position on your back on a level floor with both knees bent. Feet not anchored.
With arms out in front of you, raise your head and shoulders using mainly the abdominal muscles so that your fingertips reach just over your knees, then lower yourself back down again. That's one. Repeat until you cannot continue, or 60 seconds, whichever comes first!
Try to keep the head looking up; don't strain forward.
If 60 seconds is too easy, go on to 90 seconds.
Then start doing some abdominal work - there are many varieties of crunches that can be done - and see how much you can improve over time.
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