Straight Leg Raise

Rest your elbows and forearms on the support pads, aiming to keep your arms bent at right angles whilst supporting the weight of your body off the floor.

Concentrate on keeping your back in contact with the rear support throughout the movement, using the handles to push yourself back.

Initiate the movement from soft knee position (slight bend in the leg). Exhale and contract your lower abs, aiming to lift both legs up, so that your feet are at head height.

Aim on keeping your head and shoulders pushed against the rear support throughout the movement.

Avoid excessive momentum during the downward phase as this can cause your feet to travel pass your bodies vertical line, resulting in injury to your lower back. Focus on lowering your feet just in front of your body's vertical line.

Intermediates aim for 8 - 12 lifts, taking your feet to chest height, resting for 30 seconds prior to repeating again.

Advanced aim for 12 - 20+ lifts in a controlled manner, taking feet to head height, repeated after 20 seconds.

This exercise can be made harder by performing with leg weights, however this should not be necessary if you focus on performing in a slow motion, during both the lifting and lowering phase.

Intermediates, or those with weak back muscles, may want to perform the exercise initially with bent legs, aiming to gradually straighten the legs as muscular strength develops.