Waist Exercise · Body Weight

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Arms Overhead Full Sit-Up (male)

Category

Waist

Equipment

Body Weight

Target

Abs

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Extending the arms overhead on a full sit-up adds a longer lever that the abs and hip flexors both have to control through the entire rep, making it noticeably harder than a standard sit-up with arms crossed. It's a good test of how much the hip flexors are compensating for a weak core. If the lower back arches off the floor at the bottom, that's the range to shorten first.

How to Do the Arms Overhead Full Sit-Up (male)

1. Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
2. Reach your arms straight overhead.
3. Brace your abs and curl your upper body slowly off the floor until you're sitting fully upright.
4. Hold briefly at the top, then lower back down under control to the starting position.
5. Repeat for your planned rep target, maintaining clean technique and steady breathing on every repetition.

Muscles Worked

The Arms Overhead Full Sit-Up (male) primarily targets the Abs, with Hip Flexors as the primary synergist muscle group, along with the Lower Back.

More Waist Exercises

3/4 Sit-Up Body Weight · Abs 45° Side Bend Body Weight · Abs Air Bike Body Weight · Abs Alternate Heel Touchers Body Weight · Abs Arm Slingers Hanging Bent Knee Legs Body Weight · Abs Arm Slingers Hanging Straight Legs Body Weight · Abs

More Abs Exercises

Assisted Hanging Knee Raise Assisted · Abs Assisted Hanging Knee Raise With Throw Down Assisted · Abs Assisted Lying Leg Raise With Lateral Throw Down Assisted · Abs Assisted Lying Leg Raise With Throw Down Assisted · Abs Assisted Motion Russian Twist Medicine Ball · Abs Assisted Prone Rectus Femoris Stretch Assisted · Abs

Equipment Alternatives

Don't have body weight? These target the same abs with different equipment.

Assisted Hanging Knee Raise Assisted · Abs Assisted Motion Russian Twist Medicine Ball · Abs Band Alternating V-Up Band · Abs Barbell Press Sit-Up Barbell · Abs

FAQ

What muscles does the Arms Overhead Full Sit-Up (male) work?

The Arms Overhead Full Sit-Up (male) primarily targets the abs, with the hip flexors and lower back assisting.

What equipment do I need for the Arms Overhead Full Sit-Up (male)?

The Arms Overhead Full Sit-Up (male) is done with no equipment — just body weight.

What's a good alternative to the Arms Overhead Full Sit-Up (male)?

If you don't have access to the space or setup it needs, the Assisted Hanging Knee Raise targets the same abs using assisted instead.