Elbow to Knee - Straight

This exercise is not suitable for beginners.

Lie on your back, with your left hand supporting your head,elbow pointing forward.

Keep your left leg extended straight out, heel on the floor, with your right leg crossed over your left, at your knee.

Exhale and slowly contract your lower abs, bringing your left elbow up towards your right knee, using your oblique muscles to rotate your upper body smoothly round.

Inhale and slowly go back to the starting position, ideally with your shoulders going back to the floor, however as you begin with this exercise, you may find lowering to far becomes difficult / painful to initiate the movement, so always work within your own physical capabilities.

Working at speed reduces the muscle contraction, and utilizes momentum, causing you to roll on your lower back and buttocks, and as such should be avoided.

Aim to work one side at a time, then change sides (both arms and legs), you should note, that because all of your abdominal muscles were working whilst twisting to the beginning side, you may find it harder to perform the same amount of reps once changing sides.

Intermediates aim for 2 sets of 8 - 12 reps each side.

Advanced work as above, however hold the final phase for 1 - 2 seconds, feeling the muscles worked, aiming to take the shoulders all the way down to the floor.