Lower-body Russian twist

[soxhuskies88]

Anyone else have trouble doing these? Maybe I was just struggling after all the Deadlifts and B. split-squats, but I was looking pretty pathetic trying to do these. While lying on my back I couldn't get my legs straight and pointed up. My knees would bend a bit and my legs would be angled away from my body a bit. Even in this botched position I was only able to manage doing six at a time.

Does anyone have any suggestions on doing these in the proper form/ getting in shape to do them?

[Lisa~]

It's ok if your knees are bent. That's just decreasing the lever arm and making the load lighter. Do attempt to get your thighs perpendicular to the floor. It might help to press your palms firmly into the floor to stabilize your upper body. Control the descent of your legs rather than letting them kinda fall. With more control you'll have an easier time changing direction with a strong contraction of the opposite side obliques. Work on control before increasing your ROM. Just use the same ROM on each side.

There's also a whole school of thought that rotational movements performed with a stationary upper body while rotating the lower body have some potential risks. If you think you're torquing your lower back with these, then you might want to consider an alternate exercise. I am not opposed to this exercise, IF it is done correctly. The lumbar spine shouldn't be turning excessively. Get your rotation our of the thoracic spine with a tight, stable lumbar spine.

[LisaS]

If it was me, I'd see how I did with them when fresh. If no issues, then it is fatigue/placement in the routine. If I still had issues, then it is likely the movement itself.

[Phaedrus49er]

Fresh, yes. Cold, no. Going back to Lisa #1's comment about torsion, this is not a movement to do first thing in the morning. Make sure you're at least a little woken/warmed up, even if it's just being up walking around for a few minutes.

[ecua10]

im in the same boat as well after all those leg workouts i find it to be awkard.