Otis-Up
A sit-up variation holding a weight at arm’s length overhead to increase abdominal engagement.
Secondary muscles
How to do it
- Lie on your back with knees bent and feet anchored.
- Hold a weight with both hands, arms fully extended above your chest.
- Engage your core and sit up, keeping arms straight and weight overhead.
- Reach an upright seated position.
- Lower yourself back down under control with arms extended.
Form cues
- Keep arms locked out
- Do not swing weight
- Engage abs fully
- Maintain slow control
Common mistakes
- Bending arms
- Dropping weight forward
- Using momentum to sit up
Breathing
Exhale as you sit up, inhale as you lower down.





