Posted on Feb 6, 2019
SPC Commissioned Officer Candidate
7.68K
18
19
5
5
0
My abdominals always seem to cramp up whenever I get around 50 or 60 sit-ups during my Apft. Any tips or life hacks to help with this?
Posted in these groups: Logo no word s FitnessP542 APFT
Avatar feed
Responses: 9
CSM Darieus ZaGara
4
4
0
Train better by checking your form. It sounds as if you are crunching as opposed to rolling out and pulling up. Train to do a series 25, 30 correct without pain and add 3 to 5 at a time until you are able to do as many as you like. Whatever you do, do not slam down and jerk back up, you will likely raise your tail bone or button in the effort effectively failing the test. Train to standard and build on your entire abdomen, including your lower back and obliques. Work out with a peer and check each other’s form. Thank you for your service.
(4)
Comment
(0)
SPC Commissioned Officer Candidate
SPC (Join to see)
6 y
I probably am crunching; old Marine Corps habit
(1)
Reply
(0)
MAJ Javier Rivera
MAJ Javier Rivera
6 y
CSM Darieus ZaGara is correct. Check your form and your rate. The key is training the abs as a whole and not only sit-ups. It takes time. My suggestion, since you can pass easily, is to take your time and train without killing yourself. Take it from the guy who has no more lumbar disks left and a lot of pain!
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Retention Operations Nco
1
1
0
I never maxed sit-ups until I stopped doing them. I found hanging from a bar and doing knees to elbows was better, as well as GHD situps if you have a GHD to train on. Stronger abdominals mean less reliance on hip flexor and less cramping.
As for form - tight on the rise, relax on the fall. Breathing pace is key.
(1)
Comment
(0)
SPC Commissioned Officer Candidate
SPC (Join to see)
6 y
That's a good copy SFC. THANKS!!
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
MAJ Attorney Advisor
1
1
0
Could be anything...I guess try hydrating more especially the week or two prior to the test, stretch more, and make sure to do a wide variety of ab exercises, not just crunches.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.

close