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Exercise Comparison

3/4 Sit-Up vs Stomach Vacuum

3/4 Sit-Up - starting position
3/4 Sit-Up - ending position
3/4 Sit-Up
beginner·Bodyweight·compound
Stomach Vacuum - starting position
Stomach Vacuum - ending position
Stomach Vacuum
beginner·Bodyweight·isolation

Side-by-Side

3/4 Sit-Up
VS
Stomach Vacuum
beginner
Level
beginner
Bodyweight
Equipment
Bodyweight
compound
Mechanic
isolation
pull
Force
static
Strength
Category
Stretching
abdominals
Primary
abdominals
None
Secondary
None

Muscle Analysis

Shared

abdominals

Instructions

3/4 Sit-Up

1

Lie down on the floor and secure your feet. Your legs should be bent at the knees.

2

Place your hands behind or to the side of your head. You will begin with your back on the ground. This will be your starting position.

3

Flex your hips and spine to raise your torso toward your knees.

4

At the top of the contraction your torso should be perpendicular to the ground. Reverse the motion, going only ¾ of the way down.

5

Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Stomach Vacuum

1

To begin, stand straight with your feet shoulder width apart from each other. Place your hands on your hips. This is the starting position.

2

Now slowly inhale as much air as possible and then start to exhale as much as possible while bringing your stomach in as much as possible and hold this position. Try to visualize your navel touching your backbone.

3

One isometric contraction is around 20 seconds. During the 20 second hold, try to breathe normally. Then inhale and bring your stomach back to the starting position.

4

Once you have practiced this exercise, try to perform this exercise for longer than 20 seconds. Tip: You can work your way up to 40-60 seconds.

5

Repeat for the recommended amount of sets.

Verdict

Both exercises target the abdominals. 3/4 Sit-Up is a beginner exercise using bodyweight, while Stomach Vacuum is beginner and uses bodyweight. 3/4 Sit-Up is a compound movement working multiple joints, making it better for overall strength. Stomach Vacuum isolates the target muscle for focused development.

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