The appropriately named YouTuber Simple Man is someone who’s closer to the beginning of a “fitness journey” than the end, and for him sit-ups are still worth considering. In a new video, he documents what happened when he devoted himself to 100 sit-ups a day for 30 days.
As the video opens, he’s at more than 20 percent body fat, with a 37.5-inch waistline. It’s actually his second attempt at a sit-ups challenge; the first time he tapped out after the eighth day because he was too sore.
He also mentions that he’s changed his diet, dropping to around 1600 calories a day, which he cites as key to transforming his body.
After a brief training montage, he reveals that he lost 3.3kg after the first 15 days. (It’s also worth noting that for the first week he was also, separately, challenging himself to eat a dozen eggs a day.) It’s also around the halfway point that sit-ups started getting really easy, so he started mixing in other moves; he recommends the elevated leg crunch as a challenge.
RELATED: How This Guy Transformed His Six Pack In Six Weeks
By the end of 30 days, he’s lost 6.3kg and dropped 3.5 inches from his waistline—but there’s a caveat. Most of that, Simple Man says, is attributable to changing his diet and drinking lots of water. “When getting abs, I think it’s about 90 percent diet, 10 percent exercise,” he says. He didn’t come away with washboard abs, but says he’s still impressed with the results. Overall, it’s a good reminder that even small changes can have an effect over time.
But the situp might not be the smartest ab move for you to do, if you take a challenge like this, says MH’s Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S. “Situps aren’t bad and they’re oft-demonised,” Samuel says. “But before you do the situp, make sure you master the hollow hold. A key function of your abs is pulling your ribcage tight to your body, and the hollow hold teaches this. Doing this before situps lays the groundwork for a better situp.”
This article originally appeared on Men’s Health
More From
UFC welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry can lose 7kg in mere days – a process he describes as "phenomenally bad". Here's what he thinks should replace it
Men's Health Week is almost here, as good a time as any for a trip to your GP. Discover the most important health checks you need to get done
Logan Paul says a simple daily routine of push-ups, sit-ups and running helped him build more muscle while training for WWE
A new study found Ramadan fasting did not reduce maximal strength or power in trained athletes. Here’s what it means for you
John Cena says mobility work and recovery have become more important than heavy lifting as he approaches 50, helping him stay strong
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll needs to be in peak condition to perform at his best. This is how he trains to stay consistent across a season
See how your 5k row time stacks up, plus how to adjust your training for each decade with rowing tips from the experts
Heavy lifts, short rests and full-body pairings – this high-intensity routine develops strength, size and conditioning at once
