Curl up
Curl up is a common exercise used to strengthen the abdominal muscles. It is often included in fitness routines and physical education programs. The exercise is similar to a sit-up, but it involves a smaller range of motion and is generally considered to be safer for the lower back.
Technique[edit | edit source]
To perform a curl up, follow these steps:
- Lie on your back on a comfortable, flat surface such as an exercise mat.
- Bend your knees and place your feet flat on the ground, hip-width apart.
- Cross your arms over your chest or place your hands behind your head, ensuring not to pull on your neck.
- Engage your core muscles by pulling your belly button towards your spine.
- Slowly lift your shoulder blades off the ground, curling your upper body towards your knees. Keep your lower back in contact with the floor.
- Hold the position for a moment, then slowly lower your upper body back to the starting position.
Benefits[edit | edit source]
The curl up exercise primarily targets the rectus abdominis muscle, which is responsible for flexing the spine. It also engages the oblique muscles to a lesser extent. Regularly performing curl ups can help improve core strength, posture, and stability.
Variations[edit | edit source]
There are several variations of the curl up that can be used to target different muscle groups or increase the difficulty of the exercise:
- Weighted Curl Up: Hold a weight plate or dumbbell on your chest to add resistance.
- Bicycle Curl Up: Perform a twisting motion to bring your opposite elbow towards your opposite knee.
- Reverse Curl Up: Lift your legs towards your chest while keeping your upper body on the ground.
Safety Tips[edit | edit source]
- Avoid pulling on your neck with your hands to prevent strain.
- Keep your movements slow and controlled to maximize muscle engagement and reduce the risk of injury.
- Ensure your lower back remains in contact with the floor to protect your spine.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
This exercise related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it.
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
