The sit-up is one of the oldest forms of pure exercise. The theory behind sit-ups is that the action of pulling yourself up to a sitting position with your abdominal muscles – sometimes with the assistance of devices like an ab belt – causes your belly to become flat. While this seems like a sound theory at first blush, real fitness fanatics know that it is not that simple. Sit-ups do have merit, but they are not the cure-all for flabby abs that many believe them to be.
Cardio + Diet
When you are first getting into sit-ups, you will see some toning of your abs. This is pretty much what happens whenever you start working out muscles that you have previously ignored. They will ache at first, but in about a week or so you will get into a rhythm and your body will adapt. Unfortunately, you will plateau and need to move on to crunches. Regardless, sit-ups and crunches alone do not lead to a flat belly.
The only way to burn fat in large amounts is by doing plenty of cardio. While sit-ups do provide a modicum of cardiovascular exercise, your best bet is to get on a cardio fitness program, such as running, biking, etc.
Diet is another big concern. You can do 100 sit-ups a day, but if you continue to overeat it won’t make any difference. Sure, your abs may be toned under the flab, but no one will ever know. If you want a flat belly, the fact of the matter is that you have to change your lifestyle by eating right and burning calories via cardio.
Need an Assist?
Though you still won’t get that six-pack you won’t by simply doing sit-ups, you can use a variety of devices to make your sit-ups easier and/or more effective. There are a variety of gadgets out there on the market, but one that has been around for a while are ab belts. There are ab belts that use heat, some use electric pulses to stimulate your muscles, and some that vibrate. All have their various merits, so they may be worth trying if you want to get more out of your sit-ups.
