How to Use a Door-Mounted Situp Bar

Strong abdominal muscles not only look good, they also support many daily activities, from lifting a baby from a lying position to walking the groceries to the house. Strong abdominal muscles provide better real-world function throughout the day. Crunches are the corner stone of any abdominal workout, but many people have a problem keeping their feet on the floor during the movement. Lifting your feet during a crunch results in loss of abdominal stimulation, which results in a less tactful workout. If you do not have a partner to hold your feet down, a door-mounted situp bar does the trick.

Instructions

    • 1

      Open the door and twist the vise screw until it is completely opened, then slide the situp bar onto the bottom of the door so that the handles are in the room in which you are performing your situps.

    • 2

      Slide the situp bar to the center of the door and tighten the vise screw until it has a firm grip on the door. Grab the situp bar and give it a firm wiggle. If there is any movement in the bar, tighten it more, but do not over-tighten the vise screw as this can cause damage to the door, especially hollow doors.

    • 3

      Place your feet under the handles and lie flat on your back. Place your hands on your chest. Many people perform the movement by pulling up with their neck, but this is bad form and can cause injury. To remedy this, bend your neck forward touching your chin to your chest for the entire exercise. Focus bending your torso using your abdominal muscles. Perform this motion between the 15 and 45 degree angles so your shoulders never touch the ground. This keeps constant tension on your abdominal muscles for a better workout.