Jackknife Sit-Up
How to do the Jackknife Sit-Up with correct form, the muscles it works, and where it fits a training plan you actually stick to.
Abs
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Body Only
How to do the Jackknife Sit-Up
- 1
Lie flat on the floor (or exercise mat) on your back with your arms extended straight back behind your head and your legs extended also. This will be your starting position.
- 2
As you exhale, bend at the waist while simultaneously raising your legs and arms to meet in a jackknife position. Tip: The legs should be extended and lifted at approximately a 35-45 degree angle from the floor and the arms should be extended and parallel to your legs. The upper torso should be off the floor.
- 3
While inhaling, lower your arms and legs back to the starting position.
- 4
Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Log it, see it on your body.
Every Jackknife Sit-Up set you log feeds Ascend's anatomy heatmap — so your abs volume is visible at a glance — and counts toward your bodyweight-strength tier.
More abs exercises
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