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Why Do My Stomach Muscles Protrude When Doing Sit-Ups? (Everyday Health)

Posted: Sep 23, 2025 in In the News

This article originally appeared on Everyday Health on September 23, 2025.

Seeing your stomach muscles protrude when doing sit-ups can be alarming. So, if you're wondering why your stomach bulges during sit-ups, there are two likely causes for these protrusions: diastasis recti or a hernia.

Any activity that puts pressure on the abdominal area can lead to a hernia, especially if you have had surgery in the area or an injury. Can you get a hernia from sit-ups? Sit-ups and over-training before you're ready may be the cause according to the American Council on Exercise, if you are doing a lot of them, or they may just be making the hernia worse or more noticeable...

Read the full article here.