Hanging Leg Raises

[Brandy]

OK, what's the secret?

I look like a bungee jump gone bad.:sad: Just swingin' all over the place. I can't keep steady.
Any tips?

[Karoliina]

hehehe thats what happened to me when i tried doing them hanging on this bar but then i did them on the hanging leg raises machine where you rest your elbows.

[Christine_99]

:funny: Brandy I tried to rep u. I have this problem too :sad:. I try to really focus on not swinging or using momentum to pull my legs up, just slow controlled motion using my abs... I suck that them.

[Lynny]

I don't know. It was like this the first time I did them...but that's because I was focusing more on moving my legs than on engaging my abs. The more you use your abs, the less 'swinging' you'll do....at least that's how it is for me! :shrug:

[JJ29]

Go slow and start by bending/tucking your knees up to your chest and then work you way to having straight legs.

[ChrystalR]

I find that if I focus on my abs as if they're a clam shell that I'm pulling closed and then PRYING open (so super slow) I don't swing. It's the downward section of the lift that causes the swinging, specially if you don't "uncurl" your body in a really slow manor.

I tend to use the Ab Slings as well rather than holding onto a bar...

[JJ29]

I use the ab slings as well...I wonder if I should start just using the bar. WHen i first learned how to do these many a year ago, I had learned using the bar and I remember it hurt my abs so bad...but in a good way:hehe:

[Blondell]

Go slow and start by bending/tucking your knees up to your chest and then work you way to having straight legs.
:yeahthat: I have to go slower to keep things steady. It also helps me feel it more in my abs.

[Jen]

Go slow and start by bending/tucking your knees up to your chest and then work you way to having straight legs.

:ditto:

nice and slow, concentrate on using your abdominals sto do the work, not just bringing your legs up.

[Jeff Rage]

Ay my gym, they hang the ab swings in the Squat Rack. :sad:

I usually do these just hanging onto a chin bar. If I'm doing hyperextensions, I'll throw in a few sets on the one that supports the elbows, but only since it's right next to the hyper bench.

[smuggie]

I do them on the captain's chair.

[Pakse]

Hanging from a bar would also work on your grip strength.

Other than that, which would work best for the abs - hanging, ab sling or captain's chair?

[Brandy]

Thanks everyone. Seems like I am using my abs to pull more than anything. I'll pay more attention tonight and check back.
I do find that my grip slips before I am done.

[paige]

so the captain's chair is OK to use for this? Is it best to keep your legs straight?

[fistsoflove]

Hanging from a bar is better though in that it also strengthens your grip and upper body-- correct or incorrect? I feel like I'm working my abs so much harder using the bar, too.

*edit-- just saw your post, Pakse. yay grip! I have noticed that I can play guitar better since doing these!

[Brandy]

Okay, did them today and used the slings. I really paid attention and did 100% better. Got an excrutiating headache while doing them though.:shrug: