If the fitness crowd labels one exercise overrated a lot, it’s sit-ups. (They even got booted from the U.S. Navy’s fitness test in favor of the plank.) Sit-ups might be a gym class favorite, but their potential to put strain on the back and work the hip flexors more than the abs doesn’t win them any favors. Fortunately, there are plenty of other abs exercises that shine where crunches and sit-ups don’t.
How to do a hollow tuck hold:
- Start lying face-up on the ground, arms by sides, knees bent with feet flat on the floor.
- Raise shoulders a few inches off the floor and draw knees in toward chest so feet lift off the floor. Keep lower back connected to the floor and hover arms off the ground. Hold.
