Help with sit-up endurance / stamina

[unbeatable]

I need to get 35 strict military style sit-ups by the 18th for a police test and I can only do about 20 or 21 and fatigue sets in,.....but what I don't understand is how I can do well over 40 sit-ups with my arms crossed over my chest and the difference in hand location affects my abdominal stamina so MUCH!! I need some REAL GOOD advice ...... please help.

 

[s8nlilhlpr]

I would use a technique similar to the 100 pushup program. Every hour drop and do 10 quick situps. Next day 15 every hour, etc. Whats the difference between military and normal? I Think changing hand position adds weight/changes leverage but I'm not positive.

 

[Y_lifter]

Having your arms back behind your head adds their weight to the situp .
Keep doing them Military style as often as you can, adding 1-2 per session until you can do 35 easily.

Doing them on a slant board, moving the angle up as you get stronger, will help build endurance and make 35 done flat easy.

Or, add a 10 lb plate clutched to your chest and start over again building the number up to 35. Increase the weight to 20 and repeat.

 

[musclemom]

The problem with situps is when your core isn't super strong you're using a LOT of other muscles, that's why fatigue sets in so fast. If you get that core strong, trust me, situps are a breeze. Abs respond REALLY fast when you give them the right work. Is there any chance you can do other ab exercises? I don't mean for the test, I mean between now and then? I know for myself things like seated/kneeling cable crunches or (especially) hanging leg lifts are a helluva lot harder.

If you can't do hanging leg lifts, then in addition to the other suggestions, straight forward lying on the floor leg lifts isolate the abdominals well, esp. the kind they do in basic, where you lie on the ground, raise your legs up about 10" and then flutter kick. Buggers, but they isolate the abs.