Declined Sit-Ups

This exercise can be performed in either a straight leg position (harder), or with your legs bent.

The greater the angle, the harder the exercise becomes, avoid performing straight leg abdominal work with an angle more than 30 degrees on the bench, and bent leg with the bench no more than 40 degrees.

Adjust the foot restraints, to enable your legs to be comfortable positioned around the foam pads.

A variety of different styles of abdominal exercises can be performed on an decline bench, however, with all of them, the key is to avoid excessive arching in your downward phase, as this increases the risk of back pain.

Aim to build up both the angle of decline gradually, as well as the difficulty of the exercise to be performed on the decline.

Beginners should have an angle no higher than 20 degrees, with your legs always bent, minimal lowering downwards.

Intermediates and advanced work within your own physical capabilities.

Increase the number of reps that you can perform, as your body becomes adapted to the exercise, however once all levels can perform 2 - 3 sets of 15+ reps, focus on a new decline exercise, or increase the decline within your limits.