KPC Abs section - pikes

[Timber99]

OK, I can’t seem to get this move down and I need some pointers. During the abs section, Cathe moves into pikes. She puts herself into a push up/pike style position with her feet on the ball (so body parallel to the floor and facing the ground w/legs up on the ball). She rolls the ball inward, outward and then up to a pike and back. Not only can I not get the pike, but I am having trouble with the in and out move too

I have improved in that I can hold the pike the entire time and I am getting a little handle on the in and out move. I keep the ball on my shins to do it the ball gets away from me a little after several. If I don’t keep the ball there, after a few, my feet lose the ball quicker. I notice that Cathe & crew keep the ball at their ankle. Am I making it harder or easier?

And how do I work up to that pike? The biggest issue is that I lose the ball during these moves. Help!

All pointers appreciated!
Christine

 

[hippahips]

I used to keep the ball on my shins to make it easier. Then when I finally got a handle on the roll-outs and pikes, I started moving the ball farther back. I'd also turn the TV off and just practice on my own, very slowly. Keeping up with Cathe's pace didn't work for me then. I'd focus on not losing the ball and just bringing it in and out. Eventually, I got that right and moved on to the pikes. What really helps me is squeezing my abs tight before bringing up my butt. The upward movement is powered by the core, more than anything else. Do a lot of the plank work in Ab Hits. That really helped me not only with pikes but with push-ups as well.

Pinky

 

[darli ann]

I am having the exact same problem. Wondering if I'll ever master this move. Cathe and the crew make it look so easy - I keep trying but wonder too if I'm doing something wrong because it ain't happening! (I think my stability ball is too big for one thing. What size is everyone using?)

 

[dcat]

Below is a guideline to use when selecting stability balls. Having a good quality ball - not soft and not too hard - is important in stability ball training and helpful in learning to master pikes. When I first tried pikes, my ball was too soft. So I purchased a new one (55 cm from Fitness Wholesale Online) which is much more firm (not the very hard, slow deflate kind) and my overall training on the stability ball improved by leaps and bounds - and I'm doing pikes.

4'7" - 5'0" 45 cm
5'1" - 5'6" 55 cm
5'7" - 6'1" 65 cm
6'2" - 6'8" 75 cm

 

[CurlyQ]

The best tips I got were:

~Try doing the move on it's own, I have a really hard time doing them after all that UB work in PUB.
~Focus on lifting your butt up, don't think about your feet.
~Use a smaller ball, I'm 5'4" and was using 65cm - 55cm is much easier.
~Make sure the ball is fully inflated it will roll that much easier.