Elbow to Knee Sit-up
How to do it
Starting position
- Lie on a mat on the floor and bend your knees to 90 degrees.
- Keep your feet flat on the floor and spread your legs hip-width apart.
- Place your hands lightly by your ears and open your elbows outward.
Movement
- Brace your abs and lift your upper body diagonally.
- Raise your upper body while driving one shoulder and elbow toward the opposite knee.
- Pause briefly at the top, then slowly return to the starting position.
Breathing
Exhale as you sit up and inhale as you lie back down.
Trainer tips
- Touch your opposite elbow to your knee
- Squeeze your obliques and twist up
- Split the reps evenly between both sides
Cautions
- Straining your neck can cause cervical spine pain, so do not pull on your head with your hands.
- Using momentum to sit up strains your lower back, so focus on contracting your abs.
- Pulling the neck with the hands
- Moving only the arms instead of the torso
Exercise info
| Primary muscles |  Obliques |
|---|---|
| Secondary muscles | Abs · Quads |
| Equipment |  Bodyweight |
| Movement pattern | Core |
| Rep range | 15–25 reps |
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Representative exercise: Elbow to Knee Sit-up
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This information is based on our analysis of public content from evidence-based training experts in Korea and abroad. It is not a substitute for medical advice.
Weights and sets differ from person to person. The GYMKC app uses the sets you log to calculate the weight and reps for your next set.