Tag Archives: hip flexor

Forward Bicycle

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If you have been following my posts and looking forward to new exercise ideas, you will have noticed that there was no Home Exercise of the Week last week.  I apologize but I have been quite busy helping people get in shape by working them hard and implementing these exercises whenever possible!

One of the exercises I have been showing my wonderful clients is the Forward Bicycle.  This is a great core exercise that will strengthen your abs, lower back, and hip flexors.  It will also improve your coordination.

So what do you need to know to do the Forward Bicycle properly?  Let’s take a look.

  • sit on the floor and lean back to a 45 degree angle keeping your back straight and head in line with your spine
  • place your hands palm down on the floor beside and slightly behind you
  • raise your feet off the floor and push one foot forward in a circular motion followed by the other foot (that’s one repetition)
  • make sure you are pushing your foot forward until your leg is almost straight
  • pull your belly button in towards your spine throughout the movement to keep your abdominals flexed

So there you have the Forward Bicycle!  Do a couple of sets of 20 to 30 repetitions in your ab routine or add it in to a superset.  If that isn’t challenging enough for you then try raising your arms up in the air throughout the exercise.  This will work your abs even more and will also help improve your balance!

Now go and get on that abdominal bike and start cycling!

V Crunch

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I have a challenging, stomach and leg burning abdominal exercise for the Home Exercise of the Week!  It’s called the V Crunch and the lactic acid build up in your abs may make you want to cry but in the end it’s worth it!

The great part of this exercise is you will be working your upper and lower abdominals at the same time as well as your hip flexors.  That being said, if you have lower back issues I recommend only lowering your legs a little bit to keep the strain off your back or keep them up throughout the movement.

Some key points to remember when doing the V Crunch:

  • start by laying flat on your mat with your arms overhead and legs straight out
  • slowly raise your legs up keeping them straight while at the same time raising your arms and shoulders off the mat until your hands and legs meet in the middle and hold for a second before lowering
  • it’s important to keep your head in line with your spine during this move so you don’t strain your neck
  • slowly lower your arms and legs back down but stop before touching the floor.  This will keep the tension on your abs throughout the exercise
  • keep your abs flexed and your lower back pressed against the floor by pulling your belly button in towards your spine
  • exhale as you raise your arms and legs up and inhale on your way back down

So there you have the V Crunch.  Add this in to your ab routine or throw it in to a superset and feel the tear inducing burn!