Am I just too big for pikes?

eminenz2

eminenz2

Cathlete
I am wondering if I'll EVER be able to do pikes on the stability ball. (throws hand to forehead dramatically)

Is it possible that I'm just not the body type to be able to do them? I mean, I'm kind of built like a fireplug - short and solid, and I've never been good at gynastic-y types of movements.

Please tell me I'm not alone!

Susan G.
 
http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/kopfpatsch.gif[/img] Yes, you WILL! Here is something that I noticed I was doing that was making the pikes much harder. I was rolling the ball in and out, but if you watch Cathe closely, the ball barely moves on the pikes. In other words most of the movement is just taking your rear up.(body goes into an inverted "V") Does that make sense? I have short stubby legs but have improved on my pikes since I noticed that. Not sure it will help. Keep at 'em!
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
I think because I'm also overweight, I'm afraid I'm going to fall over or flip over.

I will keep trying - thanks for the pep talk!

Susan G.
 
Hi Debbie!
Thanks for the tip. I think I am making the pikes harder than they should be and I notice I also roll the ball in & out. I'm going to give it a try this morning and focus on more upward lift and less rolling:)

JJ
 
I find the pikes a little easier to do if I'm barefoot. I seem to be able to control the ball better with barefeet than with shoes. I have just about overcome my fear of falling and hurting myself. I did fall and did not hurt myself and this has made me a little braver.
 
Hi Susan, don't be too hard on yourself. I couldn't do those either when I started. I just sat on the floor, mouth wide open, wondering why Cathe added that to the routine when she knows most of her adoring fans aren't gymnasts.:) But I tried. That's all I did. Try. One or two pathetic reps became three or four. Now I can do the first twelve with good form. On great days I can even do the planks. I still have to work on the last four pikes. My abs are not the problem. It's my wrists. They cannot hold me for too long. By the time I get to the twelfth rep, they are screaming for mercy. I'm giving it time. There's always room for improvement.;)

Pinky
 
Great tips! Here's mine - don't try doing the any of the stability ball work right after you've done PUB. Give your arms a break and try it either before PUB or when your arms are rested. This will make a big difference. Also, don't overthink it - go slowly and just try to move a little bit! You can do it! Take your time - it may take a few months, but keep at it.
 
Can anyone think of anyway to practice without the ball - just to get the feel of the movement - the raising your hips part?

Susan G.
 
I'm with you Susan. I've been trying off and on for a whole year to get that pike move on the ball. Alas! While this move is going on, I'm doing that pushup and move into a pike like we do in BootCamp.
But even my pikes, or downward dogs, has still more of a table top look to it instead of an inverted V. x( Of course it is hard for me to really see while in that pose. Hahaha
Like you, I need someone to push me into that position to know what it is supposed to feel like. }(
I try getting on the ball using different foot positions and I still come down to that first plank move where you roll the ball to your abs and back. Now I can do THAT one REAL good. :p

I've tried it barefoot, using softer then harder stability balls, putting the ball up to the wall....I'm a hopeless case I guess!
Come to think of it, the new tricep move in Push Pull I have more of a table top look instead of that V shape.
Wow! I've really got my work cut out for me!! Cathe is intent on us getting into a V shape. }(
 
I was actually going to get someone to help push me into the pike position also. But it never fails that my husband isn't home when I do this workout. I have 2 sons, ages 16 and 22, and I'm afraid they'll hurt me if I let them help. :)
 
I'm wondering what is your problem exactly. Is it that your arms and upper body hurt and you can't do the pikes or is it the movement itself?(i.e. you can't control the ball). I try to do PUB every once in awhile and I always had problems with the pikes. But I've been doing an IS rotation for a couple of weeks and finally on Oct 19th(I have the date cause I keep a rotation calendar) I could do that whole segment on the ball!!! :D I did something different though I took a break (10 mins or so) and I did pilates matwork for my lower body before that last stability ball segment. When I went back and did it my arms and upper body were rested and I tried and I could do it. I was so surprised. So now when I'm doing that video and I have the time I do pilates and then I come back to it. But when I'm short on time I skip that segment and I do it the next day when my arms are rested. You should try it like that and see if it works.
 
Kelley -

You look great! In the last picture you're pretty much there!

I just can't get my behind up. Sometimes I think it's because I weigh so much, I just don't have the stremgth to lift myself. Plus I think being tired does have something to do with it. I don't feel particularly tired in my arms, but I'm sure I am. Two days ago I only did the PUB up and I still couldn't do any pikes. I am good at the rolling my knees in and out though.

Susan G.
 
Do you have a chair on rollers? Stand on your high step or any stool and lean forward and roll the chair in and out. If you feel too unstable, stand on the floor. This will approximate ball work to a certain extent. I found I had better control rolling the chair with my hands and keeping my lower body stable. This helps you to build strength and balance for pikes.
 
:D You know what really helped me with pikes is strengthening my core and chest! When Cathe introduced the pikes there is no way I could do them, but since I have been strength training my chest and core I can almost do a full pike and feel stronger doing it! Give this a try! Good Luck!
 
One more idea

Susan,
Try the workout doing the whole abs section first. Try it that way 2 or 3 times. It makes a difference! Also, practice just the pikes sometimes when you aren't working out- just when you happen to walk past the ball. That really helps too!

I can't do the whole segment as is but I can do a few pikes. The blood rushing to my face and head scare me, so I have been doing them before the rest of the workout.

-Connie
 
RE: One more idea

Connie -

Thanks for the tips. I think I'm going to try that too. My arms are very tired by that point, and I'm sure that affects my ability to do the pikes as well.

Susan G.
 
RE: One more idea

Hi Susan,
Pikes are very demanding for the upper body and core stabilization!

I recommend practicing this conditioning move before you burn out on upperbody work! Try it in small doses and different levels til you perfect your form(eventually ;-)

Level 1 always master a move on the floor before you attempt to do it on an unstable surface! You want to focus on the pike with the hips up as high as possible with the legs straight. The ideal is to bring the hips above the head. Get comfortable with this movement and how it feels! Make sure you lower with "control". Practice this! To know the difference in feeling ,you may want to break up this one exercise(especially if you get frustrated ;-), you can do a pike then a push up!



Level 2 Then take it to a step(adjust the height in levels as you get better)(focus is to bring hips above the head)

Level 3 put the ball against a wall, get use to the height and surface--do a push up then do a pike, focusing on raising your hips up!

Final Stage
The stability ball v pike and push up (Roll your body out on the ball so that your toes keep you in contact with the ball. Then secure yourself in a push-up position. Keep your body as stiff as a board and lift your tailbone up in the air. As your body begins to pike, you may realize that you are not as light as a feather any more and may want to start with your shins in contact with the ball, which is less difficult. As you lift your body up into the air, you should be using your lower abs and hip flexors. If you still need to work on back and hamstring flexibility, then allow for a slight bend in the knees, otherwise keep the legs straight. After completing one rep, perform a push-up and do it again. Doing this way you are not overwhelming yourself, you are feeling the movement and you have built yourself up to it ! From here, you can start to do the v's as many times as you can in a row ,that you can do with GOOD FORM!!!

PS You can also practice with a barbell, here's a link I posted about before! http://69.0.137.118/dc/dcboard.php?...42934&mesg_id=42934&listing_type=search#42985
The link to the pic may not be in effect yet (I just updated my info)(so check back in abit)
I also have another link you can check out on my fitness fanatic ! I'll be updating more frequently on these ;-)

http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/com.hp.HPGuestLogin?username=francigirl&password=66330757
 
RE: One more idea

Francine!
I took a look at your pics- could you possibly tell me where you got that cute set that's black with pink trim? Longer pants with racing stipes down the side and a bra-like top. It is cute! Your abs are TDF!
Not to hijack the thread- but I need to know!!
-Connie
 
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