help with core work

[rmdick]

Can Cathe or somebody out there give me some suggestions? There are some of the more advanced core activities that I cannot do and I don't know how to modify to "work up to it". I have been trying to do prone planks, etc for longer periods of time each time to strengthen my core but would appreciate suggestions. These are the ones I have trouble with:

1. Ab work in ME doing full crunches with medicine ball in hands overhead and legs coming up at same time
3. Oblique work on elbow, off floor with 8 pound ball on side. I can't hold myself up there and lift the weight!
4. Hamstring work with one heel on stability ball and other leg lifting. I can do these on the bench but can't do even one on the ball!

Thanks :+

 

[Stacy]

Hi, just wanted to let you know that you're not alone! I dont have a stability ball, but if I did, I'm sure I could add the pikes to the list of ab work I have difficulty doing! For the ab work in ME I simply omit the medicine ball, when I'm feeling stronger same days I'll 1 lb wrist weights or 1 lb ankle weights for more resistance or even hold my little ol' 3 lb weight in my hand, but overall that section is tough! For the oblique work, again I either use no weight, on some strong days I can do it with either an ankle weight drapped over my side or will hold a 3 or 5 lb dumbell, instead of the 8 that Cathe uses. While we're on the subject, even though I'm increasing my weight for chest presses, I still cant do big-girl pushups to save my life!! Hang in there!

Stacy

 

[Aquajock]

1. Try doing the ME crunches without the medicine ball, or with a much lighter dumbbell or with light wrist weights, then work up to the full 8-lb load; another variation keeping a moderate bend in the legs for a shorter lever; or both of these.

2. Try doing the oblique work without the 8-pounder on the side, and incrementally increase weight on the side by placing a wrist weight or some other lighter weight (that can stay on your side!); again, work your way up to the weight load, starting with unweighted work;

Stability ball . . . no suggestions on that one; I'm a real klutz there myself.

A-jock

 

[rmdick]

Thanks for the suggestions! I will try these. I had read somewhere about a modification of the side lift oblique work where you could bend your leg on the floor at the knee and fully extend the top leg. When I tried this one,it didn't really feel like I was doing anything. thanks again.