Conditioning for Ankle Lock Sit-ups?

[Tian-Tian]

Oh, ankle lock sit-ups are pretty much the bane of my existence. :o

No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to make it to the number that Master Yoon wants us to do without giving up about 40 sit-ups in. It's embarrassing to be the last one in the class to finish our set... especially with my instructors looking on.

The concept of the exercise is to tone your trunk and abs. You sit facing your partner and literally wrap your ankles around each other, then use their weight to anchor you as you sit up and high-five your partner before going back down again.

Grand Master San Yoon started us off with 30 for one class. As each week went by, we added 10 more. We're now up to 60. By next week we'll hit 70.

Any thoughts on helping me condition myself to withstand this exercise and not epically fail at it? Oh, I'm relatively tall, 5'5", and I weigh around 190lbs., though I've been told multiple times I look like I weigh 140lbs. Hope this clears things up a bit.

Thanks, y'all. :)

[Frodocious]

To get better at sit ups you need to do loads of sit ups!

There are better ways to 'tone' your core outside of class, weight lifiting being one. How often do you go to class? If you only go once or twice a week, you could just do a sit ups as part of your outside of class workout (if you do one that is).

[Southpaw535]

crunches? Do you have difficuilty doing sit ups in general or just these partner ones?

[Tian-Tian]

I work out outside of class at the gym, though I probably could turn up the intensity of my ab conditioning (and spend less time sitting at my desk, lol).

I have difficulty doing partner situps mostly; I think the problem may be that I weigh more than my partners do (I got paired with a girl that weighed literally 120 pounds a week ago... I basically did 50 situps on my own because there was no way I could anchor myself!).

[Southpaw535]

so couldnt you practice with someone outside the club?

[Tian-Tian]

You know, I probably could. :) Hadn't thought of that.

[Frodocious]

Have a look at this thread for some ab work suggestions (and do a search of the other health and fitness sections).

http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85673

If it's purely a weight issue with partner sit ups, could you find a different partner?

[Tian-Tian]

I might be able to ask Master Yoon about finding a different partner, but we always have to pair girl/girl and boy/boy whenever we do anything that requires a partner. And I'm not exactly lightly built like a few of the other girls. I can ask around. :)

Until then, those suggestions in that thread will help a lot! Now I just have to go do 'em.
Thanks, y'all!

[righty]

It could be a weight issue, but then it could not be. We do similar sit ups and I have had trouble with partners who are the same weight or heavier than me. Basically what can happen is that there heels come off the ground and then you have both sets of legs waving around. So concentrate on being able to keep your heels grounded, this can take a bit of leg strength and coordination too. But yes size can make a difference. You should be partnered up with someone who is a similar size than you, and this has nothing to do with gender.

Also spy on your class mates and take note of exactly what form of situps they are going. They may not be going down quite so low as you and thus not working as hard. If this is the case I wouldn't be too concerned.

Also, you don't need a partner to practise this sort of situp. All you need really is something you can hook your feet or ankles too. For example, my couch is convenietly raised just enough off the ground to slip my feet under. Perfect. And if you do have a partner they don't have to participate. Just getting them to do something simple like sitting on your feet can do the trick.

[Tian-Tian]

Also spy on your class mates and take note of exactly what form of situps they are going. They may not be going down quite so low as you and thus not working as hard.

Oh! That would make a difference; you're right! I'll have to keep an eye out now. ;)

I don't have a couch; I live in the dorm and I attempted sit-ups with the mini-fridge. That resulted in an upside-down fridge and me trying to rescue spilled ice cream. :rolleyes:

[Arnoo]

Be creative there are so many things you can use as a counterweight, for example use the bottom of your bed if thats to high put like a thick book between the bed and your feet etc etc.

[Tian-Tian]

Handy! I'll try that, thanks! :)