Hanging knee raises

Lunacat

Cathlete
Do any of you gym-user types know of a way to mimic hanging knee raises at home? Those have killed my abs more than any other exercise but I can't afford a gym right now and I'm afraid to use any of the bars you put in a doorway as I don't want to risk damaging my SO's house! Do you feel seated knee raises or V-ups do the same job?

Thanks for any help! :)
 
Unless you have a bar or a pull-up tower (or if you have a kid's swingset in you backyard that you could hang from?), you won't be able to get an exact duplicate of the move. The closest I can think of is to sit on the edge of a bench, lean back about 45 degrees, and bring your legs out and in.
 
I used to do those at my old house where I had two sections of kitchen counter that were close enough together for me to lift myself up with my hands, and then do the raises. Maybe that would work for you? You're not hanging, per se, but you're elevated.
 
There's nothing in my house that would work that way and there are no parks or playgrounds anywhere near my house. :(

I'll try your idea, Kathryn, and see if it works. Thanks for your suggestion Shelley. I really need to get my SO to remodel his place to suit my fitness goals! :)
 
i would love to have a way to do these at home! i've been so tempted to get a.. is it a roman chair? that i can do the knee and leg lifts on! (and hubby can use for pull ups) it's just finding room in the garage for one!

so if anyone has any non-chair ideas.. please let us know!!!!!!


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cute work out clothes are good for AT LEAST an additional 10-15 calories burned!
 
my kitchen counter is L shaped.. can't think of anything that would work... *pout*


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cute work out clothes are good for AT LEAST an additional 10-15 calories burned!
 
Not to throw in a monkey wrench here but....what the heck.......

The primary muscles worked w/leg lifts are the hip flexors. The exercise does work the abs, but they're the secondary muscle. You're better off doing traditional crunches & reverse crunches, in which the abs are the primary muscle group worked, & maybe throwing in some weight if you need more of a challenge.

An ab class I took a few years ago taught that the best ab exercises are those that do not use any leg movement at all.
 
yep.. the second one (second one down.. vertical knee raise thingy) is what i want! i have to "play" with it every time i go in a sporting goods store!


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cute work out clothes are good for AT LEAST an additional 10-15 calories burned!
 
maximus.. for me.. working the hip flexors isn't a bad thing.. since i'm a cyclist (of course they get worked on the bike!)

but i've read in numerous magazines that they (let and knee raises) are among the best of the best for abs!?!

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cute work out clothes are good for AT LEAST an additional 10-15 calories burned!
 
Some great ab exercises are in Oxygen's special ab issue. It shows alot of the exercises you're talking about and more.
http://www.shopmusclemag.com/product.asp?productid=1744

To replicate the hanging leg exercise, I recruit my boyfriends help. I lie on my back and have him stand over top of me, his crotch is about over my head/neck area. As I hold on to his ankles I lift both legs up straight up and have the him push them back down. Repeat as long as you can stand it. Get it?? And let me tell you, it's so hard to get your legs up there after the ump-teenth time. And yeah, you'll feel it in you hip flexors, but you'll definately feel it in the lower abs most likely. I hope this helps:)!

Brenda
 
I have that issue, too. It has some good exercises in it but I use it more for the inspirational pictures.

I'll have to try your idea. Although I must admit, it will be super tempting to 'accidentally' kick a little too far! }(
 

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