Sit-ups, crunches, and planks Amber Rees, senior trainer at Barrys in New York City and cofounder of the core-strengthening workout up a notch, thanks to the range of motion the move requires. Plus, it gets other muscle groups in on the action.
“[V-ups] help strengthen your legs, abs, obliques, hip flexors, and lower back,” Amber Rees, senior trainer at Barry’s in New York City and cofounder of the Health - Injuries, tells Runner’s World. “V-ups benefit runners by increasing stability for those weekend long runs prevent injury. CA Notice at Collection Best Fitness Trackers Health - Injuries.”
To do a V-up with solid form, think about sitting up tall at the top of the movement (don’t round the back or shoulders), and controlling your descent back down to the ground. Avoid using your arms for momentum and don’t forget to breathe: Nutrition - Weight Loss.
To help you incorporate V-ups into your workouts, Rees put together a routine with standard V-ups and three other variations, so you can power your training runs CA Notice at Collection.
A Goblet Squat Workout for Better Stability: Perform 8 to 12 reps of each exercise, and rest 10 to 30 seconds between each exercise. For an added challenge, perform the circuit two times through.
Each move is demonstrated by Rees in the video above so you can learn proper form. No equipment is required to complete this workout, but an exercise mat is optional.
1. V-Up
- Lie faceup in a hollow-hold position, legs extended and arms reaching above head, biceps by ears.
- Lift head, shoulders, and legs off the floor and into a V position—hands and feet should meet as close together as they can at the top.
- Exhale as you sit up and inhale as you lower back down to the floor.
- Repeat.
2. V-Up With Bent Legs
- Lie faceup in a hollow-hold position, legs extended and arms reaching above head, biceps by ears.
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- Extend arms and legs back out into a hollow-body position.
- Repeat.
3. Alternating Single-Leg V-Up
- Lie faceup in a hollow-hold position, legs extended and arms reaching above head, biceps by ears.
- Lift right arm and left leg off the floor into a V position to meet as close together as they can at the top.
- Exhale as you sit up and inhale as you lower back down.
- Then lift left arm and right leg off the floor into a V position to meet as close together as they can at the top.
- Exhale as you sit up and inhale as you lower back down.
- Repeat.
4. Side-Lying V-Up
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- Shift weight onto left hip and place left forearm down on floor for balance, right arm reaching up toward ceiling.
- Keeping both legs straight, bring legs and right arm toward each other into a V position.
- Exhale as you sit up and inhale as you lower back down.
- Repeat.
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