How to perform Bodyweight Jackknife Sit Up with proper form
Starting Position
- Lie Down: Start by lying flat on your back on a mat or comfortable surface.
- Body Alignment: Extend your arms straight above your head and legs straight on the floor, keeping your body in a straight line.
Movement
- Engage Core: Tighten your abdominal muscles.
- Lift: Simultaneously raise your legs and upper body off the ground, bringing your arms towards your legs. Think of forming a 'V' shape with your body.
- Reach: Aim to touch your toes or get as close as possible while keeping your legs straight.
Return
- Lower Body: Slowly lower your upper body and legs back to the starting position in a controlled manner.
- Maintain Control: Avoid letting your back arch excessively and keep the movement smooth.
Key Points
- Breathing: Exhale as you lift your body and inhale as you return to the starting position.
- Keep Control: Focus on maintaining stability throughout the movement.
- Avoid Strain: Do not pull on your neck; use your core muscles for movement.
Common Mistakes
- Lifting your head and neck too aggressively.
- Arching the back instead of engaging the core.
- Rushing through the exercise instead of performing it slowly and with control.
By following these instructions, you can effectively perform the Bodyweight Jackknife Sit Up with proper form.
Exercises

Clean, Barbell
Type: Upper, Lower, Push
Target: Glutes, Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Back, Shoulders
Synergist: Calves, Biceps, Chest, Forearms

Clean and Jerk, Barbell
Type: Upper, Lower, Push
Target: Glutes, Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Back, Shoulders
Synergist: Calves, Biceps, Chest, Forearms

Deadlift, Barbell
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes, Back, Hamstrings
Synergist: Quadriceps, Calves, Abs, Forearms

Deadlift, Cable
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes, Back, Hamstrings
Synergist: Quadriceps, Calves, Abs, Forearms

Deadlift, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes, Back, Hamstrings
Synergist: Quadriceps, Calves, Abs, Forearms

Deadlift, Smith Machine
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes, Back, Hamstrings
Synergist: Quadriceps, Calves, Abs, Forearms

Deadlift, Band
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes, Back, Hamstrings
Synergist: Quadriceps, Calves, Abs, Forearms

Deadlift, Kettlebell
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes, Back, Hamstrings
Synergist: Quadriceps, Calves, Abs, Forearms

Deadlift, Leverage Machine
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes, Back, Hamstrings
Synergist: Quadriceps, Calves, Abs, Forearms

Good Morning, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Hamstrings
Synergist: Glutes

Good Morning, Smith Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Hamstrings
Synergist: Glutes

Good Morning, Leverage Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Hamstrings
Synergist: Glutes

Hip Adductor, Leverage Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Hamstrings, Glutes
Synergist: Quadriceps

Lying Leg Curl, Band
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Hamstrings
Synergist: Calves

Lying Leg Curl, Leverage Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Hamstrings
Synergist: Calves

Romanian Deadlift, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Back, Glutes, Hamstrings
Synergist: Abs, Calves

Romanian Deadlift, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Back, Glutes, Hamstrings
Synergist: Abs, Calves

Seated Leg Curl, Leverage Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Hamstrings
Synergist: Calves, Quadriceps

Stiff Leg Deadlift, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Back, Glutes, Hamstrings
Synergist: Quadriceps, Abs

Stiff Leg Deadlift, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Back, Glutes, Hamstrings
Synergist: Quadriceps, Abs
Stiff Leg Deadlift, Band
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Back, Glutes, Hamstrings
Synergist: Quadriceps, Abs
Straight Leg Deadlift, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Back, Hamstrings
Synergist: Glutes
Straight Leg Deadlift, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Back, Hamstrings
Synergist: Glutes
Straight Leg Deadlift, Band
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Back, Hamstrings
Synergist: Glutes
Straight Leg Deadlift, Kettlebell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Back, Hamstrings
Synergist: Glutes
Sumo Deadlift, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps, Hamstrings, Back
Synergist: Abs, Biceps, Forearms
Ab Wheel, Bodyweight
Type: Core
Target: Abs
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Shoulders, Back, Chest
Back Extension, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Core
Target: Back
Synergist: Glutes, Hamstrings
Back Extension, Leverage Machine
Type: Lower, Core
Target: Back
Synergist: Glutes, Hamstrings
Box Squat, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Box Squat, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Bulgarian Split Squat, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Cable Pull Through, Cable
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Back, Hamstrings
Calf Press on Seated Leg Press, Leverage Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Calves, Quadriceps
Synergist: Glutes, Hamstrings
Deadlift High Pull, Barbell
Type: Upper, Lower, Pull
Target: Shoulders, Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Biceps, Forearms, Calves, Back
Deficit Deadlift, Barbell
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Back, Quadriceps, Calves
Deficit Deadlift, Trap Bar
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Back, Quadriceps, Calves
Elliptical Machine, Leverage Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Synergist: Biceps, Forearms, Shoulders, Glutes, Hamstrings, Back, Chest, Quadriceps
Flat Knee Raise, Bodyweight
Type: Core
Target: Abs
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Flat Leg Raise, Bodyweight
Type: Core
Target: Abs
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Glutes
Front Squat, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Front Squat, Cable
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Front Squat, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Front Squat, Smith Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Front Squat, Kettlebell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Glute Bridge, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Glute Bridge, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Glute Bridge, Band
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Glute Bridge March, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Abs
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Glute Kickback, Cable
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Abs
Glute Kickback, Band
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Abs
Goblet Squat, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Goblet Squat, Kettlebell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Hack Squat, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Hack Squat, Smith Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Hip Thrust, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Hip Thrust, Band
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Hip Thrust, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Hip Thrust, Leverage Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Jackknife Sit Up, Bodyweight
Type: Core
Target: Abs
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Glutes
Jump Squat, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Jump Squat, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Kettlebell Swing, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Lower, Core
Target: Shoulders, Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Chest, Calves
Kettlebell Swing, Kettlebell
Type: Upper, Lower, Core
Target: Shoulders, Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Chest, Calves
Leg Press, Smith Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Leg Press, Leverage Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Lunge, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Lunge, Cable
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Lunge, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Lunge, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Overhead Squat, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Glutes, Calves
Overhead Squat, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Glutes, Calves
Pistol Squat, Kettlebell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Pistol Squat, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Pistol Squat, Leverage Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Reverse Hyperextension, Band
Type: Core, Lower
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings
Reverse Hyperextension, Leverage Machine
Type: Core, Lower
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings
Reverse Lunge, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves, Glutes
Reverse Lunge, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves, Glutes
Reverse Lunge, Kettlebell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves, Glutes
Reverse Lunge, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves, Glutes
Safety Squat Bar Squat, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Back, Calves
Seated Leg Press, Leverage Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Single Leg Bridge, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Abs
Synergist: Shoulders, Hamstrings, Chest
Single Leg Deadlift, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Back, Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings
Single Leg Deadlift, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Back, Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings
Single Leg Hip Thrust, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Single Leg Hip Thrust, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Single Leg Hip Thrust, Leverage Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Sissy Squat, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings
Snatch, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Lower, Pull
Target: Shoulders, Back, Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves, Chest, Triceps
Split Squat, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Split Squat, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Split Squat, Band
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Split Squat, Kettlebell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Split Squat, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Squat, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves, Back, Abs
Squat, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves, Back, Abs
Squat, Smith Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves, Back, Abs
Squat, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves, Back, Abs
Squat, Leverage Machine
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves, Back, Abs
Squat Row, Band
Type: Upper, Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes, Back
Synergist: Shoulders, Hamstrings, Chest, Quadriceps, Calves
Step up, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Step up, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Step up, Band
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Step up, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Sumo Deadlift High Pull, Barbell
Type: Upper, Lower, Pull
Target: Shoulders, Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Biceps, Forearms, Calves, Back
Superman, Dumbbell
Type: Core
Target: Back
Synergist: Glutes, Hamstrings
Superman, Bodyweight
Type: Core
Target: Back
Synergist: Glutes, Hamstrings
Thruster, Barbell
Type: Upper, Lower, Push
Target: Shoulders, Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Chest, Calves, Triceps
Trap Bar Deadlift, Trap Bar
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
Zercher Squat, Barbell
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves
