How to Do the V-Up Abs Workout

Making the V-up a part of your abs workout improves your overall core strength and helps define your abs. It's a challenging exercise that you may need to work up to. As you first begin doing the V-up, just go as far as you can without discomfort. Your strength builds the more you do the V-up.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Exercise mat or folded blanket
• Ankle weights (optional)
• Medicine ball (optional)

1. Lie on your back on an exercise mat or folded blanket. Establish a neutral spine position before beginning the exercise.
2. Stretch your arms overhead and keep your legs straight.
3. Inhale slowly as you simultaneously raise your arms and legs as high as you can, keeping them as straight as possible. The general movement as you come up is like a crunch, with your chest leading. Your upper torso and glutes should raise off the floor as you do this.
4. Attempt to touch your feet with your hands when you bring your arms and legs to their full extension. You may not reach this goal on your first attempt, but you'll eventually reach it as you gain strength.
5. Challenge yourself by holding the contraction for a few counts. Alternatively, hold the contraction only briefly.
6. Exhale slowly as you lower your arms and legs to the starting position, but keep all of your muscles engaged rather than relaxing onto the floor. Your back and glutes should touch the floor as you complete the abs exercise.
7. Repeat the exercise without resting. Do a set of 12 to 20 V-ups to fully work your abs.

Tips & Warnings

• Move slowly to ensure that your muscles are engaged. It's easy to use momentum to complete the exercise, but this approach doesn't give you a real abs workout.
• Add ankle weights or hold a medicine ball in your hands or between your ankles for more resistance once you master the exercise.
• Keep your lower back straight to protect it. Discontinue the exercise if you feel any discomfort in your lower back.