V-Up

Legs and torso rise together into a V. The abs exercise where cheating is hardest.

The movement

Loading the coach

How to do it

  1. Lie flat, arms stretched behind your head, legs straight.
  2. Lift torso and legs at the same time, hands reaching towards your feet.
  3. Come back down without letting your heels or hands touch the floor.

The two mistakes that cost you reps

  • Bending the knees to make the rise easier, which takes the abs out of it.
  • Dropping back down instead of controlling the way back.

How Orusta counts it

A rep counts on the full closing of the V, followed by a return to the flat position.

Easier, harder

Easier

One leg at a time, the other foot staying on the floor.

Harder

Pause two seconds at the top of the V on every rep.

What a good set looks like

15 to 20 clean reps. It is the quality of the closing that counts, not the number.

Exercises that work the same muscles

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