Okay, so I’ve been trying to mix up my workout routine, and I stumbled upon this exercise called the “leg raise clap.” Sounds simple enough, right? Well, let me tell you, it’s a bit more challenging than it sounds, but in a good way!
Getting Started
First, I found a comfortable spot on the floor. I don’t have a yoga mat, so I just used a folded-up blanket. That worked fine. You need a bit of space around you, so I moved the coffee table out of the way. No need to accidentally kick anything over!
The Action
I lied down flat on my back, arms at my sides. Then, the fun began. I lifted both legs straight up in the air, keeping them as straight as I could. My abs immediately started complaining, but hey, that’s the point, right?
Next, while keeping my legs up, I quickly separated them, and this is the tricky part, clap my hands underneath my legs between my thighs and my knees.
It is really difficult.
Then back together, it is quite a quick action.
It’s like a weird, upside-down jumping jack, but without the jumping. I quickly brought my legs back together. It took a few tries to get the coordination down. I definitely flailed a bit at first, not gonna lie.
- Lie flat on your back.
- Lift legs straight up.
- Quickly separate legs.
- Clap hands under legs.
- Quickly bring legs back together.
- Repeat!
My Thoughts and Struggles
I managed to do about 10 of these before my abs were screaming. I definitely felt the burn, especially in my lower abs. I also noticed that it works your inner thighs a bit, which is a bonus. I tried to keep my lower back pressed against the floor, but it was tough. I think I need to work on my core strength a bit more. It’s not easy, but it is easy to do anywhere.
The Aftermath
After a few sets, with short breaks in between, I felt pretty good! It’s a nice change from regular crunches. It’s definitely something I’m going to add to my routine, maybe a few times a week. I’m hoping to build up to doing more reps without feeling like my abs are going to explode. It’s all about progress, right? I recommend you give it a shot, just be prepared to feel it!
