Exercise library · Abs

How to Do Otis-Up

Step-by-step instructions, muscles worked and workouts that use the otis-up.

How to do it

1. Secure your feet and lay back on the floor. Your knees should be bent. Hold a weight with both hands to your chest. This will be your starting position.
2. Initiate the movement by flexing the hips and spine to raise your torso up from the ground.
3. As you move up, press the weight up so that it is above your head at the top of the movement.
4. Return the weight to your chest as you reverse the sit-up motion, ensuring not to go all the way down to the floor.

Form tips

• Start light and own the movement before adding weight.
• Control the lowering phase — don't drop into it.
• Keep breathing; exhale on the hardest part.
• Stop if you feel sharp pain (different from muscle burn).

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Gear for this exercise

Exercise matGrip and comfort for floor work, core and stretching.See it on Amazon →

Exercise photos and instructions: free-exercise-db (public domain). Animation made from the real start and end photos.