UKC

Any tips on how to get better at these? Been trying them and I can only just do them, let alone for 10 seconds!! I think my core strength can't be that great. There must be other exercises to improve similar/the same muscles??

In reply to dhwsa: Gawd, I tried doing these. Doing them wasnt too much of a problem at the time, but jeez did I end up straining my stomach muscles BIG time.

I gave up.

In reply to dhwsa:

Keep at the leg raises, it will take time, but you will get better. I couldnt even do bent knee raises, now I can do a number of straight leg raises, mainly built up from climbing and using a door gym. Sit ups and crunches I believe are working the same muscles I think, but I could be wrong.

In reply to dhwsa: Build up slowly, I do 3 sets of 3, holding each rep for between 3 - 8 seconds depending on how much it hurts. I also back this up with fit ball work. Basically do a plank like you might in a fitness class but on a fit ball (physio, swiss ball) then gently roll the ball away from you.

Leg raises can also put a lot of strain on your back, its usually best to do them from a lock of to reduce this and do some small back raises to help equalise those muscles.

In reply to dhwsa: Used to do about 20 at a time, sometimes if my Sifu was feeling vicious we'd do 5 sets of 20. If you can do straight leg raises easily (and it shouldnt take long, just keep at it) then start doing leg raises where you lower your leg to the side and alternate between sides. Its works your obliques more. Dont forget to do reverse sit ups too to balance your muscle growth.
hth

In reply to dhwsa: Easier to start with bent-knee leg raises (either hanging from bar or from parallel bars/chair etc) then work up to full straight-leg extensions (these are easier using gymnast-handles, arms of chair or sides of bath! THEN progress to doing them from the floor with hands on floor).

Easier ab exercises working same muscle groups include lying on floor and doing reverse crunches - followed by a set of 'legs over head then lowered back down slowly to 3 inches off floor')

Harder ab exercises working this group include dragon flags.

Good routine to aspire to here!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgTtD9c9YL4&feature=related

So keep trying then!!

Front levers look like the thing to aspire to:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=SFicccDgjUI

In reply to Jon Redshaw:

I should maybe do some of these--what are they, exactly?

In reply to dhwsa:

Practice makes perfect!

Get some ankle weights, too, and try bent leg raises.