EXERCISE SABOTEURS

the mistakes that could make your exercise regimen less effective. this week: Sit-ups THE number one mistake people make is get someone to hold their feet, or position them under something.

A study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that this limits the amount of work the abdominal muscles need to do and instead switches the effort to muscles at the front of the hip. It also puts pressure on your upper back. To do a sit-up properly, simply place your feet flat on the floor as you curl up. A better move might be to dump sit-ups in favour of a plank. Get into a press-up style position, but balance on your toes and tighten your tummy. This works more abdominal muscles than sit-ups.