Can sit-ups be done safely on your bed?

Question

Traditionally sit-ups are done on the floor...obviously. Problem with me is I have problems with my lower back due to a car accident. Trying to do ANY exercises on the floor while laying on my back, even on carpeted surfaces, can be painful for me.

I don't want to further injur myself by doing excercises on an unstable surface such as a bed.

Any info or suggestions on this topic?

Answer 1

You can't do sit-ups well on a bed. Got another idea: given your lower back situation, stay on the floor, but forget the sit-up ritual. Put a pillow or cushion under under your lower back. Have something to hold onto with your hands behind you. Do leg lifts. Lift your legs and do a scissor movement, then let your legs down. Repeat this movement ten times. get up and walk around. Do it again, for three sets. If you have trouble, don't worry. Forget the ten reps. Just do what you can. But keep the idea of doing ten reps three times. You can take breaks. You will work up to the ten. OK? It should be a lot easier on your back and you are still tightening that tummy.

Answer 2

Sit-ups in general, while a fairly good abdomona; exercise, also work the lower back at certain stages. Doing them on a bed should not be that difficult, but it needs to be a firm bed. Go slowly and stop at whatever point you feel your lower back muscles beginning to engage. The body is set up to be in balance. Your abs are balanced out by your back muscles. When you flex the abs, your back should be stretching. You can do standing crunches. This is basically a sit-up while standing. You don't get as much flexion of the abs, but there is less strain on muscles that may hurt.. Always move slowly and isolate the muscle group you are working on.

Answer 3

Sounds like a good idea. Trying to hold yourself steady on a soft surface like a bed will employ stabilising muscles that you wouldn't normally use on a hard surface, like the floor. go for it and see how it feels.

Answer 4

Well..sometimes when I can't sleep I do sit ups in bed..but it doesn't work out too well. So I put a wood board under my feet and it works pretty well. You can try it but I'm not sure if it will hurt you back.

Answer 5

i'm not sure about the sit-ups in bed, but i know that there are specific exercises that can be done in lieu of "sit-ups" that are less strenuous on the lower back. ask your doctor for some help before you try anything.

Answer 6

Have you tried a padded mat? I use one as I too have problems stemming from auto accident. I have found that a mattress is too soft to work for me..It may work for you.