John Peterson
01-23-2010, 12:33 PM
Hey Friends,
I received an e-mail from a young man asking me if I personally perform Roman Chair Sit-Ups and if I think that it safe to do so. He said that he has read that they are not safe to perform and wanted to know what my take is with regard to them.
First off, I perform them along with Wall Walking everyday as did my grandfather and uncles and Noel Johnson who performed them before and after his long distance runs.
Here's the deal for people thinking they are dangerous.When a person with tight hip flexors, weak abs, and, typically, a bad back, tries to do a Roman Chair Sit-Up there could indeed be problems. Here is what can be done to make the exercise safer. First, Start performing Atlas Sit-Ups with hands besides ears while on the floor each day. Gradually build your range of motion to the point that you can touch you your elbows to your knees or beyond. Extremely advanced men with correct bodily proportions may even be able to touch their chin or forehead to their knees. Next, when you do switch to the chair or stool, with hands beside your ears passively exhale as you lean back on the way down. When you have reached the bottom of your descent, slowly start to inhale while tucking your chin to your chest and begin your ascent by rolling upward one vertabra at a time rather than just sitting-up. You'll notice that if you use this technique that within a few weeks your range of motion will be dramatically increased and your back will feel great. However if you ignore proper technique the naysayers predictions will come true.
---John Peterson
I received an e-mail from a young man asking me if I personally perform Roman Chair Sit-Ups and if I think that it safe to do so. He said that he has read that they are not safe to perform and wanted to know what my take is with regard to them.
First off, I perform them along with Wall Walking everyday as did my grandfather and uncles and Noel Johnson who performed them before and after his long distance runs.
Here's the deal for people thinking they are dangerous.When a person with tight hip flexors, weak abs, and, typically, a bad back, tries to do a Roman Chair Sit-Up there could indeed be problems. Here is what can be done to make the exercise safer. First, Start performing Atlas Sit-Ups with hands besides ears while on the floor each day. Gradually build your range of motion to the point that you can touch you your elbows to your knees or beyond. Extremely advanced men with correct bodily proportions may even be able to touch their chin or forehead to their knees. Next, when you do switch to the chair or stool, with hands beside your ears passively exhale as you lean back on the way down. When you have reached the bottom of your descent, slowly start to inhale while tucking your chin to your chest and begin your ascent by rolling upward one vertabra at a time rather than just sitting-up. You'll notice that if you use this technique that within a few weeks your range of motion will be dramatically increased and your back will feel great. However if you ignore proper technique the naysayers predictions will come true.
---John Peterson