How to do the Otis Up
Otis Up is a beginner single-joint isolation pushing exercise targeting the Abs in the Waist region. Performed using weighted, it falls under the strength category. Secondary muscles engaged include Hip Flexors and Lower Back.
Otis Up demonstration · © GymiaFit
Otis Up at a glance
- Primary muscles
- Abs
- Secondary muscles
- Hip Flexors, Lower Back
- Equipment
- Weighted
- Level
- Beginner
- Type
- Isolation (single-joint)
- Force
- Push
Otis Up step by step
- 1Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground.
- 2Place your hands behind your head with your elbows pointing outwards.
- 3Engaging your abs, slowly lift your upper body off the ground, curling forward until your torso is at a 45-degree angle.
- 4Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your upper body back down to the starting position.
- 5Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Otis Up — questions
What muscles does the Otis Up work?
The Otis Up primarily targets the Abs. It also recruits the Hip Flexors, Lower Back as secondary movers.
What equipment do I need for the Otis Up?
You need weighted. If your gym does not have it, the alternatives listed further down train the same muscles with different kit.
Is the Otis Up suitable for beginners?
Yes. It is classed as a beginner movement: the pattern is simple enough to learn in a session and easy to scale by adjusting range of motion or load.
What can I do instead of the Otis Up?
Weighted Crunch, Weighted Decline Sit-up, Weighted Hanging Leg-hip Raise train the same muscles and make good substitutes when the equipment is taken or the movement does not suit you.
Log it, don't guess it.
The GymiaFit app has the Otis Up demo, form cues and set logging built in — plus a muscle map that shows what you have actually trained this week. Free on iOS and Android.