blisters from situps

This is a bit embarrassing but about 3 weeks ago I got blisters at the base of my spine from doing situps very painful so I stopped doing situps for 2 weeks as I completely healed up by then so I decide to do situps a couple of days ago and what do you know I got the blisters back again not game enough to do anymore situps as the pain can be unbearable and I have no idea why I am getting the blisters from doing the situps.

Has anyone else had a similar problem to this and what helped to permanently get rid of it

Replies

  • nornyb
    nornyb Posts: 224 Member
    I haven't experienced it myself, but I would find alternatives to sit ups. There are a lot of other things you can do that strengthen your core more effectively.
  • mperrott2205
    mperrott2205 Posts: 737 Member
    I've never heard of getting blisters from situps... What sort of clothing are you wearing? What sort of surface are you performing the situps on?
  • nino07110922
    nino07110922 Posts: 2,149
    I got those when I first started. I changed my routine. First of all, I bout some mole skin and applied it over the blister area. Then, instead of doing sit ups, I braced my arms and just pulled my knees up as far as I could go. That was less friction for the area. After doing that for less than two weeks, my skins wasn't as sensitive and I could do situps without blistering. I now do situps on an inclined bench, holding a 35lb plate over my head while lying down, and bringing it up over my chest while I sit up and touch my elbows to the knees. Then I lay down and repeat. It took MONTHS of baby steps. I now do 10 sets of 10 each day. Don't get discouraged; get creative. :bigsmile:
  • glovepuppet
    glovepuppet Posts: 1,710 Member
    do crunches and leg lifts, not sit ups. that will reduce friction & pressure, and they're just as good.
  • princesspea234
    princesspea234 Posts: 182 Member
    Try using a small core ball rested right under your sit bone if you insist on doing sit ups. If sit ups are hurting you, you could stop doing them. I personally find sit ups overrated. I would try standing core exercises, pilates exercises or barre3 exercise to whittle your middle...you can find tons of barre3 exercises online. Just remember that no amount of core exercises will give you a flat tummy before losing the fat on top of the ab muscles... I have to remind myself of this even though I would love to spot reduce my lower tummy and thighs!
  • Hi there
    Sit ups can be effective - but only if you are doing them properly. It;s actually more effective to do a "crunch" when you only come up half way and crunch your abs - rather than sitting up fully. It's all about ensuring your core is engaged - basically pulling your belly button into your spine. I think if you did crunches rather than sit ups you would not have the same problem as their is less movement at the base of your spine.
    You might also want to try planks - this engages the whole of the core in either full, elbows down or knees down position, so long as you keep your back completely straight. Try to hold for 30 seconds to begin with and build up to longer times / reps.
    Good luck!
  • I got those when I first started. I changed my routine. First of all, I bout some mole skin and applied it over the blister area. Then, instead of doing sit ups, I braced my arms and just pulled my knees up as far as I could go. That was less friction for the area. After doing that for less than two weeks, my skins wasn't as sensitive and I could do situps without blistering. I now do situps on an inclined bench, holding a 35lb plate over my head while lying down, and bringing it up over my chest while I sit up and touch my elbows to the knees. Then I lay down and repeat. It took MONTHS of baby steps. I now do 10 sets of 10 each day. Don't get discouraged; get creative. :bigsmile:




    I am going to try what you suggested thank you so much everyone
  • Snow3y
    Snow3y Posts: 1,412 Member
    I used to get major bruises from doing situps.. All I can suggest is getting a really soft and stable mat.. Blisters are from friction, so you could possibly do the situps at home topless so that there's no real '3rd' friction from your shirt, skin and mat/floor
  • Fozzi43
    Fozzi43 Posts: 2,984 Member
    Planks are better and you won't get blisters on your back.