What part of the abdominals does this exercise work?

[TryingToGetInShape]

Where you sit on the edge of a flat bench with your knees bent off the bench and you slowly bring your knees to your chest then back down again. Reason why I ask is I can’t do hanging leg raises because of 2 herniated discs in my lower back it is very painful for me to do this exercise and I was looking for an alternative. I would still like to know what part this exercise works but also any other suggestions you guys may have for an alternative to hanging leg raises.

[Lisa~]

I'd call that exercise a partical V-up and it works the rectus abdominus and hip flexors.

If you have herniated discs in your lower back, I'd suggest you stick to core stabilization movements rather than core flexion like hanging leg raises or V-ups. Better choices would be planks and side planks in all their variations.

[igunick]

Originally Posted by Lisa~

planks and side planks in all their variations.

There are variations?
Tell me more!

[TryingToGetInShape]

Originally Posted by Lisa~

I'd call that exercise a partical V-up and it works the rectus abdominus and hip flexors.

If you have herniated discs in your lower back, I'd suggest you stick to core stabilization movements rather than core flexion like hanging leg raises or V-ups. Better choices would be planks and side planks in all their variations.

Would you be so kind to list those?

[karky]

Originally Posted by igunick

There are variations?
Tell me more!

Just use your imagination :p
for example, form a "star" shape with your body, one elbow and fot touching the ground, the other hand and fot point towards the sky.
I wont bother to write a long winded reply, because Lisa will post a link soon anyways

[Lisa~]

Originally Posted by igunick

There are variations?
Tell me more!

LOL Sure there are progressions and there are so many ways to do it that you can just use whatever you like. First hold forearm plank for time and side plank (also resting on your forearm) for time. When you're good at those, you can create all kinds of ways to make it a bit, or a lot, more difficult.

Front plank with your arms on a bench and your feet on a stability ball
from your hands
from your hands with your feet on a ball
from your forearms or hands with one leg lifted, or raising and lowering one leg
moving your legs into your chest, called mountain climbers
cross body mountain climbers

Side plank from your hands (this is the T of a T-push-up, so do T-push-ups)
from your forearms but with the top leg lifted, for time or for reps
lifting that top leg up, down, forward, and return to starting position, for reps
from your hands with any of that leg stuff

Rotating from front planks to side planks, holding each for a certain time. Again, T-push-ups are another version that includes this rotation.

Elbow touches are a progression from front plank from your hands.

Renegade rows are a progression from elbow touches. This thread started out talking about hanging leg raises and end up being a good discussion of the renegade row and its variations, lol.

Shoulder gliders are another front plank variation that requires core stability with shoulder strength.

Any version of a push-up is still a progression up from a plank since push-ups are done in the plank position. Try spiderman push-ups for a core stability with hip mobility challenge.

How's that?