The 200 sit-ups challenge

[El Gordo]

I happened across a reference to this the other day on another running forum, and thought I'd give it a go and see how far I get: The 200 sit-ups training program

It appealed to me because I'm supposed to be majoring on my core, and sit-ups do exactly that.

First of all you do an initial test, and this determines at what level you undertake the 6 weeks of 3-times-a-week sit-ups. I managed 18, which, encouragingly, is classed as "Poor". Sweder, surprisingly only notched 2 more than that, while super-fit Aussie beach bum MLCM made 22. In other words, we are all pretty crap. Stop press: Antonio has said he'll take part too.

Anyway, the plan is to start the program properly on Monday. Well I am, anyway. And aim for Monday, Wednesday and Friday for my 3 torture days. If you take a look at the schedule, you'll see that the number of sit-ups builds up quite quickly.

If you're feeling really enthusiastic, you might consider alternating days with the 200 squats program. I've threatened to try this, but this might just be bravado, uttered in a moment of alcohol-withdrawal-induced delirium.

It's worth mentioning that not everyone thinks that sit-ups are good for you. Here's a Newsweek article you might want to read first: Click.

Yeah, OK, but I'm going to give it a go anyway. All are welcome to join us on this slow boat to the heart of hell....

[suzieq]

OK, I'm going to join you on the 'slow boat to the heart of hell'. I've been wanting to build on my core as I think it will help with the running. I actually do 30 sit-ups every morning (your body gets used to doing something and I've done this for years), but this will give me focus and force me to come out of my comfort zone and make it hard. I can be quite lazy if I can get away with it, so doing this program with all of you will make me accountable. Don't think I'll add in the squats program right now, that would be sheer torture.

Can hardly wait for Monday morning!

Suzie

[El Gordo]

Woot! Welcome aboard, Suzie. Great to hear from you. Hope you're well.

[The Beast of Bevendean]

Count me in. Managed 16 on the test

[El Gordo]

Good to have you along, Tom.

I kicked off my effort this afternoon. Decided to use an exercise ball, having read that this is a more effective way of executing a sit-up. Must admit it was a rather farcical session, with me expending as much effort on keeping my balance on top of the ball as I was on the sit-ups themselves. But I'll persist. Improving balance is a key part of this core-strengthening campaign, so I'll hope to achieve greater mastery as I proceed.

For the record, I managed the 9-9-6-6 quite comfortably, and was able to add 20 at the end. However, I'm not sure how much difference the ball made to the difficulty. Remember: this isn't a contest, so no need to feel too competitive. I'm more concerned about completing the 6 weeks than I am about doing more than anyone else.

So I reckon the sit-up gang is now:

Antonio
El Gordo
MLCM
Suzie
Sweder
Tom

No need to post after every session, but an occasional update would be appreciated.

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

Day 1 week 1 successfully completed: 15 18 10 10 22

I think a few months of landscaping has helped, although it's still a bitch!

[Sweder]

Today was day one, week one for me too.
I managed a paltry single set of eight - bottles of Bohemia Cerveja Pilsen that is.
No sign of a single sit-up on the horizon. Still grappling manfully with the mechanics of the thing.

#situpfail

[El Gordo]

Today was day one, week one for me too.
I managed a paltry single set of eight - bottles of Bohemia Cerveja Pilsen that is.
No sign of a single sit-up on the horizon. Still grappling manfully with the mechanics of the thing.

#situpfail

A manful confession.

No worries. It's only 3 days per week, so you can catch up.

[Sweder]

No worries. It's only 3 days per week, so you can catch up.

Ghad, I knew a public declaration was a mistake
OK, I'm going to bang these out before I head for the seething madness that is my workspace this week. Such tales to tell already ...

ps: Did my day one before breakfast. Stopped my 'max' at 10 as slight lower back pain.
Still had a few left in there!

[Antonio247]

I´ve done the test today. I managed to do 20 sit-ups although I raised my back very little.

Saludos desde Almería

[Sweder]

I am trying for this....my initial test 52

Respect!
Anyone manage day 2 yet?

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

I am trying for this....my initial test 52

Respect!
Anyone manage day 2 yet?

I think Araporn is a bot Sweder ... and yep, done day #2: 15-18-15-15-20 ... not without some difficulty i might add.

[El Gordo]

I did day 2 yesterday, with Day 1 of the 200 squats in between. Should do Day 2 of squats today, though I just ate fish and chips.... Might leave it a little while.

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

Successfully completed week 1 of the 200 Sit Ups Challenge. As the program notes suggested, it is amazing how quickly you progress, but it still hurts! I'mn kind of glad to have started in the harder level, as I've already done 92 sit ups in day 3, so there's not quite so much ground to make over the next 5 weeks.

Might also start the One Hundred Pushups Challenge in a week or so. I've always been crap at push ups, so this might be a good opportunity to improve somewhat.

[Sweder]

Might also start the One Hundred Pushups Challenge in a week or so. I've always been crap at push ups, so this might be a good opportunity to improve somewhat.

With you there. If a big box of cereal fell on me whilst I was laying down I'd have to wait for someone to help me get if off my chest.

Sloppy stuff on the situps here. Day 2 extended into day 2.5 due to unforseen champagne/ Bohemia pilsner interface. Must do better.

[El Gordo]

With you there. If a big box of cereal fell on me whilst I was laying down I'd have to wait for someone to help me get if off my chest.

Bloody annoying that -- when someone drops a big box of cereal on you while you're just lying down, minding your own business.

Missed Day 2 of squats yesterday. Might be ultra-manly and do Day 3 of sit-ups and 2 of squats this arvo. Yeah, yeah, I know, but that's just the kind of fella I am.

My diet has vanished in a vortex of cheese and wine this week. I blame Sally, who came to visit us last weekend, as she always does on August bank holiday weekend. She was laden with goodies from Betty's, and demanded the finest wines known to humanity. I caved in.

All back on track tomorrow morning, starting with the 9 a.m. spin session.

Next week, M and I are sampling the unknown qualities of Bikram yoga (or "hot yoga"). A place has just opened in Reading: Studio 42. The "42" refers to the temperature of the studio. Sounds a bit chilly for hot yoga though. Only 10 degrees higher than freezing....

[The Beast of Bevendean]

First week under my belt. I abase myself before those of you doing the squats and the press-ups as well. Truly, you are not men but gods.
Of course, being an iVictim, I have bought the iPhone app to record my progress: rather neat, lets me log my sessions and beeps at me kindly when the required interval between sets has passed, allowing me to multi-task, id est to clean the cat's litter tray in the intervals.

[El Gordo]

First week of sit-ups completed satisfactorily, plus 2 of the first 3 days of squats. I should be doing more today but am sampling yoga this evening, and am nervous enough already without adding more leg ache to the mix. My quads are still sore from Day 2 of the squats, which I'm actually rather pleased about. It suggests that they are getting a good roughing up, which was part of the plan. So anyway, if I survive Hot Yoga this evening, I will embark on Week 2 tomorrow.

[El Gordo]

Have been a bit naughty, and only just done Week 2 Day 1 of both sit-ups and squats. Need to do the other 4 sessions before Sunday.

[Sweder]

Have been a bit naughty, and only just done Week 2 Day 1 of both sit-ups and squats. Need to do the other 4 sessions before Sunday.

Due to a virilant stomach virus picked up during my last 24 hours in Brazil I shall be making a full recovery before re-starting the program. If I try and pick it up after only 2 sessions and a week-long gap it'll feel disjointed. I'm sure the spacings are deliberate to allow you to feel the benefits of improvement as well as gently tolerate the increased demand/ fatigue.

If I tried a sit-up just at this moment the consequences would be quite terrible.