Breathing
Exhale through the abdominal effort and inhale during the controlled return. Keep the neck relaxed and do not hold your breath.
Strength movement using Body Only.

1 / 2Muscle guide
The stronger highlight marks the main muscle associated with this movement. The lighter highlight marks supporting muscles.
Movement instructions
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.
Technique guidance
Exhale through the abdominal effort and inhale during the controlled return. Keep the neck relaxed and do not hold your breath.
General guidance matched from movement type and equipment; it is not individualized coaching or medical advice.
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