Incline Twisting Sit-Up

Setup

1. 01Set an incline sit-up board to a moderate angle and hook the feet under the pads.
2. 02Lie back with knees bent and hands lightly behind the head or across the chest.
3. 03Tuck the chin slightly and set the ribs down.
4. 04Brace before the first rep; the head-down angle adds load immediately.

Execution

1. 01Exhale and curl the trunk up off the board.
2. 02As the torso rises, rotate to bring one elbow toward the opposite knee.
3. 03Reach the top of the rotation, then untwist back to center.
4. 04Lower the trunk slowly to the board and alternate sides each rep.

Checkpoints

• -The curl comes first; the twist happens through the middle and top of the rep.
• -Rotation comes from the trunk, not from the elbows flapping.
• -Both sides get the same rotation and height.
• -The descent is slow enough to control the added incline load.

Common mistakes

• -Pulling on the head to create the twist.
• -Twisting at the bottom before the abs have flexed the spine.
• -Using the hip flexors to yank the torso off the board.
• -Crashing back down the incline between reps.