Hey!
I'm having some trouble with my reverse crunch... I think I'm doing something wrong. I've noticed that there are numerous version out there, and I've tried 3 of them allready. The typical straight leg lift keeps sort of popping my left knee on each rep (and it seems to be working my quads more than my lower abs). Another version cracks my back on every rep and a third feels like I'm not actually doing anything! Anyway I was hoping you folks might have some pointers. I'm open to sugestions for other lower ab excercises too.

Ps. I have a pilates ball, but thats about it.

Try isometric "V" sits. this is kind of hard to explain, but basically, you sit with as little of your buttocks on the ground as possible. Your legs are locked straight and held at 45 degrees to the ground. Your arms are also held straight, but they follow the upper body in the opposite 45. So, if viewed from the side, your body looks like a letter "V". It is an isometric exercise, so you hold it in place.

dmccarthy wrote:
Try isometric "V" sits. this is kind of hard to explain, but basically, you sit with as little of your buttocks on the ground as possible. Your legs are locked straight and held at 45 degrees to the ground. Your arms are also held straight, but they follow the upper body in the opposite 45. So, if viewed from the side, your body looks like a letter "V". It is an isometric exercise, so you hold it in place.

Ok, how would that be used in an excercise rutine? And how long should I hold the position? I haven't really done any isometric stuff before

well, just like anything else, you do them in sets. let's say you are doing crunches, "v" sits, and supermans are a core workout. do your set of crunches, then do your supermans (which can be done in reps or as isometrics), and then do a "v" sit for as long as you can hold it. Then come back and do your next set of each. Repeat ad nauseum.

ok... whats a superman?

nevermind!
I found a picture on google

lol!

God bless Google!