OK ladies, who can do one leg pikes on the ball?

LauraMax

LauraMax

Cathlete
I can't. I just can't. I can do 2 leg pikes, I can do levitation holds, I even finally got the straight leg levitations. But I just cannot seem to do the one leg pikes. I squeeze out one or two & then bail (no pun intended to my poor neighbors here in the northeast :eek:).

I'm wondering if it's core strength, or if I'm psyching myself out? I'm scared of falling off. I admit it. But if I had the strength, would I have the fear?

For those of you who've mastered them, any advice?
 
I'd like to know too since I have NOT mastered these and don't think it will happen anytime soon! I'm up to 2 double leg pikes and that is an accomplishment LOL!! How do you do levitation holds?! I can't even do 1 of those. You rock for even being able to squeeze 2 single-leggers out!!
 
I can get one or two on each side, but not the full set. I think its more fear of falling. I get the wobbles and then freak myself out. Not like I've never fallen off the ball before, so I don't know what gives. I just keep on tryin'. I figure trying is worth something. Still can't do a straight leg levitation, and the cross legged ones are hit or miss, but I did get 2 of them the other day.

Nan
 
Laura, Cathe talked briefly about progression to 1-legged pikes in one of her Cathe TV segments but I do not remember which one.
 
Whew! So glad it's not just me! :D

I know Shana Banana can do them. I saw a pic. But Shana can do anything. :p

Catherine, thanks for the tip--one of these days when I'm alone in the office I'll try to find it.

Mel, re. the levitation holds, I don't know if I can explain this but you have to really clench your core & kind of do a pelvic tilt as you push up, if that makes sense. Try them without shoes to start--that's what I did--it's amazing the difference that few pounds make.
 
I can do them, but it took watching Cathe's segment on CatheTV about them before I could do it, and once I'd heard her tips it wasn't all that hard for me. OTOH I can't do those straight legged levitation holds to save my life. Try to watch that segment soon - the tips are invaluable.
 
Laura - you are so funny! Thanks for the mention :) I just told myself GIRL, YOU WILL DO THIS!!! Cathe does them in another workout but I can't remember which one. It is an earlier workout before Ab Circuits. This is where I first saw it and thought it was surely impossible! If you can do the levitation holds, then I think it is just your mind playing tricks with you on the one legged pikes.

To the person who asked about the levitation holds - start with your legs *criss cross apple sauce*!! Basically, your legs crossed Indian style but go one step further and tuck your feet into the crooks of your legs. Then graduate to just regular Indian style. From there, you will eventually be able to get your legs out.
 
My abs aren't strong enough for even the two-legged pikes yet! It's my weakest point and I always beg off doing abs on the weekends, so I only get 2 days of ab work in per week. I know it's not enough, but I hate doing ab work! Trying to get better about doing them!
 
LauraMax said:
Mel, re. the levitation holds, I don't know if I can explain this but you have to really clench your core & kind of do a pelvic tilt as you push up, if that makes sense. Try them without shoes to start--that's what I did--it's amazing the difference that few pounds make.
Click to expand...

Ooooh I will try that! I wasn't tilting my pelvis so maybe that will do the trick! Thanks!!
 
I just recently mastered the one legged pikes but only after many, many attempts and practice. I found that they really hit my quad much harder than the two legged so to build up to them, I would do a two legged pike then raise one leg in the air and hold it as long as I could. Then one day it just clicked and I did one:)
 
Oh heck Shana, you're like a superhero & you know it! ;)

Tricia, I just have to say, you look flippin amazing! I hadn't seen your new profile pic--it appears you've reached your goal weight! Congrats! Abs shmabs, enjoy your success!

Mel, that "pelvic tilt" thing helps with lots of exercises. You should try it w/pullups--it actually makes them do-able! :)
 
Laura - that's impressive that you can do the levitation holds! Even when I was in the best of shape and could do just about everything Cathe does - I just couldn't master those holds.
 
For some reason I can do the levitation holds with my legs crossed, no problem, but I can't seem to get my legs straight on those. I still get scared doing two legged pikes ( I keep thinking I'm going to do a somersault off the ball :O , so I haven't even attempted the one legged pikes!
 
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