Janda Sit-Up

A beginner strength exercise for the abs, done with just your bodyweight.

Main muscles: Abs
Equipment: Bodyweight
Level: Beginner
Type: Isolation
Movement: Pull

How to do the Janda Sit-Up

Position your body on the floor in the basic sit-up position; knees to a ninety degree angle with feet flat on the floor and arms either crossed over your chest or to the sides. This will be your starting position.
As you strongly tighten your glutes and hamstrings, fill your lungs with air and in a slow (three to six second count) ascent, slowly exhale. Tip: It is important to tighten the glutes and hamstrings as this will cause the hip flexors to be inactivated in a process called reciprocal inhibition, which basically means that opposite muscles to the contracted ones will relax.
As you inhale, slowly go back in a controlled manner to the starting position.
Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Sets and reps

Muscle	3–4 sets of 10–15 reps, rest 60–90 seconds
Pump or finisher	2–3 sets of 15–20 reps, rest 45–60 seconds

Log every set in MyoStats and it works out your estimated one-rep max and suggests the next weight or rep target, so you keep progressing without guessing.

Alternatives to the Janda Sit-Up

Questions

What muscles does the Janda Sit-Up work?

Mainly the abs.

Is the Janda Sit-Up good for beginners?

Yes. It's rated a beginner exercise: start light and learn the movement before adding weight.

What can I do instead of the Janda Sit-Up?

Good alternatives that train the abs: Alternate Heel Touchers, Crunch - Hands Overhead, Crunch - Legs On Exercise Ball or Crunches.

How many sets and reps of the Janda Sit-Up should I do?

Muscle: 3–4 sets of 10–15 reps, rest 60–90 seconds. Pump or finisher: 2–3 sets of 15–20 reps, rest 45–60 seconds.

Exercise steps and photos: free-exercise-db (public domain).