Crunchy Frog

If you have ever done the P90X abdominal routine then you will recognize this Home Exercise of the Week!  It’s called the Crunchy Frog and I really don’t know how the name came to be but it is memorable.  Whenever I say it’s Crunchy Frog time I’m guaranteed to get a few groans and eye rolls but that’s because it’s a challenging exercise.

This may be a tough exercise but it is effective in working your core and hip flexors as well as your balance and coordination.  It just takes a bit of practice and strength development to get the move down perfectly.

Let’s take a look at how to do the Crunchy Frog properly.

  • start by sitting in a V-like position with your arms extended out to your side and your upper body at about a 45 degree angle
  • your legs will remain off the floor throughout the movement
  • next, pull your knees in towards your chest while wrapping your arms around your legs
  • squeeze the abs then extend your legs back out and your arms out to your side.  You’re now in the starting position again
  • repeat and aim for 15 to 20 repetitions

So there you have the Crunchy Frog.  The movement itself is fairly straight forward but it does take some strength to execute it properly.  If you find that your lower back is hurting on this one then you can place your hands on the floor behind you and just kick in and out with your legs.  As your abs get stronger you will be able to add in the arm movement.

 

V Up Roll Up

It’s Friday and this Home Exercise of the Week is coming a bit late but if you’re planning a workout this weekend then try adding in this killer ab burning exercise!

The V Up Roll Up is a P90X move and I wanted to share it with all of you because it is a very effective exercise to strengthen and tone your upper and lower abdominals.

Technique is important as always but especially with this ab move.  If done properly it will destroy your abs and you’ll be cursing at me for ever asking you to try it.  If done incorrectly, it can put a lot of strain on your lower back and we don’t want that!

So let’s take a look at the key points to doing the V Up Roll Up properly.

  • lay flat with your arms straight up over your chest
  • pull your belly button in towards your spine
  • sit all the way up keeping your belly button pulled in and reach towards your toes
  • keep your head straight throughout (no tucking your chin in to your neck)
  • as you start to lay back down, raise your legs up keeping them straight until your lower back touches the floor.  There is a tendency sometimes to do the second crunch before your lower back touches the floor and this is where your lower back can become strained.  The position you want to be in before the second crunch is almost laying all the way down with just your shoulders and head off the floor.
  • keeping your legs straight at about a 45 degree angle, do the second crunch by reaching towards your toes
  • repeat and let the burning begin! 😉

So there you have the V Up Roll Up.  I thank you Tony Horton from P90X for showing this great ab exercise and although you might not thank him or me for showing you this, in the end your abs will! 🙂