Ring pike ups with your feet in the gymnastic rings are a challenging exercise that heavily engages the abs, shoulders, and core. During the movement, you lift your hips upwards while keeping your legs straight, so that your body forms an inverted V-position. The instability of the rings further challenges the stabilizing muscles, especially in the shoulders and core, to maintain balance. This variation is a progression from regular pike ups and enhances your body tension.
The exercise Ring Pike Ups is intended to be used as a hypertrophy exercise.
Front Delts - The front part of the deltoid muscle, also known as the anterior shoulder, is located at the front of the shoulder. It is primarily involved in the forward movement of the arm, such as lifting the arm forward. It also assists in the internal rotation of the arm. This muscle is engaged in activities that involve lifting objects in front of the body or pushing forward.
Ring pike ups on the forearms are an easier variation of the exercise, as the lower position offers more stability and shortens the lever. This modification reduces the strain on the shoulders while still challenging the core. It is a suitable precursor to pike ups on the hands, allowing you to gradually build strength and control.
The One-Leg L-Sit on the parallettes is a challenging exercise that primarily targets the abdominal muscles, hip flexors, and supporting muscles. In this exercise, the athlete assumes an L-position, keeping one leg straight while bending the other. It requires a high level of body tension, strength, and balance.
The one-legged variation serves as a preparatory exercise for the classic L-Sit, where both legs are extended. Holding this position engages the abdominal muscles even more intensely.
An even easier progression is the Tuck L-Sit, where both legs are bent and pulled close to the body. This reduces the lever arm, making it easier to hold the position while still engaging the core and supporting muscles.
The Quadruped Stand, also called the All Fours Position, strengthens your shoulder and belly muscles. It’s a great beginner exercise and an easy way to start bodyweight training. When done correctly, the Quadruped Stand is just as good for your core as the Plank. It helps you stay stable, improves your posture, and you can make it harder by lifting one arm or one leg.
In the supported L-Sit, the legs are extended with the heels resting on the ground. Compared to the regular L-Sit, where the legs are fully lifted off the ground, the supported version is ideal for beginners, as it requires less core strength while still preparing the upper body for the proper L-Sit. Another easier variation is the Tuck L-Sit, where the knees are drawn toward the chest.
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