Problem with sit ups, need advice

AESprouse
AESprouse Posts: 112 Member
edited November 8 in Fitness and Exercise
I developed coccydynia 6 months ago which is a rare condition that causes debilitating pain any time pressure is applied to the tailbone. This obviously makes sit ups, or even just laying on my back, excruciating and therefore impossible. Normally this wouldn't be a problem and I could use some other ab exercises. However, I am a few weeks away from being offered a job with a county sheriff's office and will have to attend an academy before receiving on the job training. There will be physical fitness training every day during the academy, which will include sit ups.

Does anyone have any creative ways to perform the sit ups without applying any pressure to my tailbone? Any fellow law enforcement officers think a doctor's note explaining my condition and it's limitations will be sufficient to be excused from the sit ups? I mean, it's not like I'll be doing sit ups doing my actual job duties. Any other advice? TIA!

Replies

  • AESprouse
    AESprouse Posts: 112 Member
    Anyone?
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I was going to say just don't do them...it is really a pretty much worthless exercise. Unfortunately though, that seems out of the question. I really don't understand why the military (former Marine here) and law enforcement, etc insist on sit-ups...they really are about worthless.

    Unfortunately, I don't know that you can perform them without putting pressure on your tail bone. You could try the doctor's note route, but I know the military would have just told me too bad, so sad and I would have never gotten out of boot camp...I don't know about the police/sheriff's academy though.
  • _lyndseybrooke_
    _lyndseybrooke_ Posts: 2,561 Member
    I'd call the academy, tell them your predicament, and ask if a doctor's note could get you out of that particular exercise. I can't really think of a way to do sit-ups without applying pressure to the tailbone.
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    I agree with Lyndsey. Be proactive by contacting them ahead of time to see what is needed to exclude you from that part of the program and/or ask about alternative exercises available.
  • MagnumBurrito
    MagnumBurrito Posts: 1,070 Member
    Squeeze your a$s as hard as you can while doing them.
  • amcook4
    amcook4 Posts: 561 Member
    Have you tried doing them on a workout ball? Much easier than getting on the floor. It might be a way to work up to floor ones (if you are able to)
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    Yeah, I would talk to them way in advance about it. You don't want to be surprised on that day. Have a doctors note and discuss an alternative exercise? I definitely don't think you should just stop and watch while everyone continues with sit-ups.

    Stupid sit-ups. After I dead lift, I do like 5 and then say F it.
  • eatmindfully
    eatmindfully Posts: 93 Member
    What's so great about sit-ups? There are lots of other ways to strengthen your core. Perhaps consider yoga or creative ways to do planks? Good luck! I hate sit-ups
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    eatmindfully wrote: »
    What's so great about sit-ups? There are lots of other ways to strengthen your core. Perhaps consider yoga or creative ways to do planks? Good luck! I hate sit-ups

    It's required by the police academy she is applying for, as stated.
  • sljohnson1207
    sljohnson1207 Posts: 818 Member
    Well, assuming someone will be holding your feet, or they will be under something, try sitting on your hands and see if you can do them that way. People often pull on their necks during sit ups anyway, and this will force you not to do that.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    OP, do you think this condition will be troublesome/effect your ability to perform as an officer?
  • thegilly6
    thegilly6 Posts: 137 Member
    How about 2 small pads, one for either cheek?
  • stealthq
    stealthq Posts: 4,298 Member
    sljohnson1207 wrote: »
    Well, assuming someone will be holding your feet, or they will be under something, try sitting on your hands and see if you can do them that way. People often pull on their necks during sit ups anyway, and this will force you not to do that.

    I was thinking - maybe you can use a thin but pretty firm foam pad under each butt cheek? That might lift you just enough to spare your tailbone.

    Surely the police department has had people break their tailbones before and need similar accommodations. It's not that uncommon an injury. I'd call and see what can be done.

  • parasshelawala
    parasshelawala Posts: 29 Member
    See if it is any better on a yoga mat or a stability ball and hopefully they will let you modify the exercises.
  • mustgetmuscles1
    mustgetmuscles1 Posts: 3,346 Member
    edited November 2014
    Maybe some padded cycling shorts or softball sliding shorts would give you the padding you need.

    Roller derby shorts.

    x354.jpg
  • AESprouse
    AESprouse Posts: 112 Member
    To the posters who gave me alternate core exercises, I will use those at home. However, sit ups are part of physical training at the academy.

    To the poster who asked if it will affect my ability to do my job as a deputy- it will not. It only causes me pain when sitting, laying on my back, etc. I will be starting off in the county jail supervising inmates and will not spend much time on my tailbone.

    To everyone- Thank you for all of the advice! My next meeting with the Sergeant is on Monday and I will definitely be sure to talk to him about it. I meet with my doctor 2 days after so I'll be able to get any documentation that the Sergeant suggests/requires.
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    mustgetmuscles1 wrote: »
    Maybe some padded cycling shorts or softball sliding shorts would give you the padding you need.

    Roller derby shorts.

    x354.jpg

    Great idea. I bet that would help a lot.
  • Colleen118
    Colleen118 Posts: 491 Member
    I had to have a pilonidal cyst removed and recovery caused same symptoms. could you try a sitz ring? looks like a really small pool ring
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    LyndseyLovesToLift wrote: »
    I'd call the academy, tell them your predicament, and ask if a doctor's note could get you out of that particular exercise. I can't really think of a way to do sit-ups without applying pressure to the tailbone.

    pretty much this. you might be able to get by on a medical pass, but i wouldn't be surprised if it disqualifies you for the job.
  • sentaruu
    sentaruu Posts: 2,206 Member
    definitely talk to the sgt. about the potential for modified situps or the use of padding. make sure you have a doctor's note or he probably wont take you seriously. I doubt you will be able to get out of doing them entirely(especially since you are tested on them) but hopefully they will be able to work with you.

    worse comes to worse bring up the ADA...
  • wilsoncl6
    wilsoncl6 Posts: 1,280 Member
    Unfortunately, disqualification seems more likely if this isn't something that you can overcome as the physical testing is pretty much standard and mandatory for entry in most cases. If you can't use protective appliances like the shorts posted earlier then they may just tell you sorry but no dice. I used to deal with tailbone pain doing tons of sit-ups in the military and learned that if you have the person holding your legs, sit on your feet, wrap their legs around your Indian style and lean back as you come up, it takes some of the pressure off of your butt.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    eatmindfully wrote: »
    What's so great about sit-ups? There are lots of other ways to strengthen your core. Perhaps consider yoga or creative ways to do planks? Good luck! I hate sit-ups

    It's required by the police academy she is applying for, as stated.

    What's so great about reading the original post? pffft.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    edited November 2014
    AESprouse wrote: »
    To the poster who asked if it will affect my ability to do my job as a deputy- it will not. It only causes me pain when sitting, laying on my back, etc. I will be starting off in the county jail supervising inmates and will not spend much time on my tailbone.
    What happens when someone takes you down?

    Also, I wouldn't be surprised or upset (if I were you) if you find out this issue is an immediate DQ from the academy.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    dbmata wrote: »
    arditarose wrote: »
    eatmindfully wrote: »
    What's so great about sit-ups? There are lots of other ways to strengthen your core. Perhaps consider yoga or creative ways to do planks? Good luck! I hate sit-ups

    It's required by the police academy she is applying for, as stated.

    What's so great about reading the original post? pffft.

    I am so tired from lifting I took this seriously for a second before my brain started working again.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    dbmata wrote: »
    arditarose wrote: »
    eatmindfully wrote: »
    What's so great about sit-ups? There are lots of other ways to strengthen your core. Perhaps consider yoga or creative ways to do planks? Good luck! I hate sit-ups

    It's required by the police academy she is applying for, as stated.

    What's so great about reading the original post? pffft.

    I am so tired from lifting I took this seriously for a second before my brain started working again.
    My purse is heavy today too. ;) lol.
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