04-04-2007, 02:42 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 3
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Why do we still do sit-ups in the US Army?
Why is the US Army still doing sit-ups when the whole world that exercises knows it is inefficient and bad for your body?
From WikiHow:
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(Do not place both hands behind your head-- Placing both hands behind your head can cause lower back problems in the long run as it places unnecessary stress on that part of your body from pulling on your head and neck.)
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From [url]http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/1997/06jun/sit_up.htm[/url]
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Don't, however, interlace your fingers behind your head. When you do, you tend to pull on your head, which can stress the neck and cause injury. Pulling on your head also makes the abdominal muscles work less.
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Personally, my neck hurts from doing sit-ups. I probably pull too much with my hands.
Sit-ups are not making my abs that much stronger fast. Doesnt really make my abs more tone. If anything, it just makes me tired.
I can pass a PT Test. I am not some PT failure complaining the system is against me.
Its just that since the US Army is developing, isn't it time to update our APFT and PT Program?
Some substitutes I could recommend:
Simply, dont place hands behind the head for sit-ups.
(Lets decrease the disability percentage for once from retiree's complaining about neck problems)
Find another ab exercise to test out.
(One we did in Soccer practice was lay flat on the ground, hold onto something like someone else's legs with your hands, and lift your legs straight up 90 degrees)
That could be a good replacement and work out our abs way better.
Can anyone recommend who I could email about this also in the US Army?
I believe we can change the APFT to be more efficient. It is 2007 now. We have gotten wiser on bad exersices.
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04-04-2007, 02:47 PM
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Lieutenant Colonel
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: US
Posts: 1,520
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The whole world doesn't know it. There are just as many that say sit-ups are as there those that say they aren't.
The problem with sit-ups is that there's just little room for error, you have to do them correctly or you do run the risk of an injury. So it isn't the sit-up, it is the person doing them. Crunches aren't good for you if you do them incorrect either, btw.
Are there better exercises we could do? Yes. Will we change the APFT? No, it's the Army ...it would take an act of God to get the APFT changed.
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04-04-2007, 03:00 PM
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Recruit
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 3
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nah... if we changed to 'for show-only' berets instead of the patrol caps that actually served a purpose, we can change an APFT.
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04-04-2007, 08:06 PM
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Lieutenant Colonel
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: US
Posts: 1,520
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cadetpaul
nah... if we changed to 'for show-only' berets instead of the patrol caps that actually served a purpose, we can change an APFT.
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Not going to happen, men with heavier collars than you or I have tried. |
04-04-2007, 08:24 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 3
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eh, im like an O-0 haha.
But im sure I could possibly talk to anyone higher just so I can at least try.
I dont plan on staying in the army long.
Get my commission, maybe get on Active Duty as a Signal officer, do my 3 years and get out.
But then again, who knows, I may be the next post commander haha.
I just want to know who is in charge of these decisions..... :/
Who approves the FM's?
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04-05-2007, 10:23 AM
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Lieutenant Colonel
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: US
Posts: 1,520
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cadetpaul
eh, im like an O-0 haha.
But im sure I could possibly talk to anyone higher just so I can at least try.
I dont plan on staying in the army long.
Get my commission, maybe get on Active Duty as a Signal officer, do my 3 years and get out.
But then again, who knows, I may be the next post commander haha.
I just want to know who is in charge of these decisions..... :/
Who approves the FM's?
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LOL That's not how the Army works, son. You don't just get to talk to anyone. You're bottom of the foodchain, they don't care what you have to say. It isn't a democracy, and unless you've got a critical job (even then, they only want to hear us when they need us) or you have a heavy collar trust me when I tell you - no one cares what you think.
That's the reality of things, you aren't going to change it. Start learning to accept it and roll with it or you aren't going to enjoy the Army very much. There are some things that you just can't get in to. |
04-11-2007, 07:29 AM
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Second Lieutenant
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Flibberityboobopmoocowshoe
Posts: 542
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cadetpaul
Why is the US Army still doing sit-ups when the whole world that exercises knows it is inefficient and bad for your body?
From WikiHow:
From [url]http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/1997/06jun/sit_up.htm[/url]
Personally, my neck hurts from doing sit-ups. I probably pull too much with my hands.
Sit-ups are not making my abs that much stronger fast. Doesnt really make my abs more tone. If anything, it just makes me tired.
I can pass a PT Test. I am not some PT failure complaining the system is against me.
Its just that since the US Army is developing, isn't it time to update our APFT and PT Program?
Some substitutes I could recommend:
Simply, dont place hands behind the head for sit-ups.
(Lets decrease the disability percentage for once from retiree's complaining about neck problems)
Find another ab exercise to test out.
(One we did in Soccer practice was lay flat on the ground, hold onto something like someone else's legs with your hands, and lift your legs straight up 90 degrees)
That could be a good replacement and work out our abs way better.
Can anyone recommend who I could email about this also in the US Army?
I believe we can change the APFT to be more efficient. It is 2007 now. We have gotten wiser on bad exersices.
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Ok as Bones said sit-ups only work the top 4 ab muscles and the soccer excercise works the bottom (2?) I do them both and I cross my arms across my chest when doing sit-ups and crunches.
I also do one where if done right it will work the side muscles, get in situp place and place right leg on left knee then bring left side of body to the right leg, repeat for left leg.
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Last edited by jmm001847'; 04-12-2007 at 07:33 AM..
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04-17-2007, 12:22 PM
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Private
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 12
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Yea sit-ups s*cks, but on a AFPT hands are on the back of the head with finger interlocked or touching. So you need to learn how to properly do the sit-up the Army way to avoid neck and back strain during the AFPT.
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ReneeMo
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04-27-2007, 11:21 AM
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Administrator
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Sweet Home Alabama
Posts: 90
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The Navy Way.
In the Navy not only can you sail the seven seas but they also have you perform sit-ups in a safer manner. Cross your arms across your chest, each hand touching the opposite shoulder and do them that way. There is no temptation to try to pull yourself up by the neck that way. BTW even though I have been out for over a decade I still do 50 sit-ups X 50 push-ups every morning. Sit-ups are not inherently bad for you but like any exercise if you don't do them correctly you can hurt yourself.
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"Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!" -Admiral David Farragut
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04-27-2007, 01:18 PM
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General of the Armies
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Ireland (Ex Irish Army)
Posts: 10,457
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Grimm
In the Navy not only can you sail the seven seas but they also have you perform sit-ups in a safer manner. Cross your arms across your chest, each hand touching the opposite shoulder and do them that way. There is no temptation to try to pull yourself up by the neck that way. BTW even though I have been out for over a decade I still do 50 sit-ups X 50 push-ups every morning. Sit-ups are not inherently bad for you but like any exercise if you don't do them correctly you can hurt yourself.
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Yep, sounds like the Rubber Ducky Brigade got it right.... for a change!!!....
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 "Barrel High, Powder Dry!"
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