Good Form: A push-up, sit-up follow-up
If you include a lot of push-ups and ab crunches in your workout routine, remember to add this move, which helps to work the opposing muscles in your back. The second part of the movement will also give you a nice stretch in the front of your hips.
Sit on the floor with your knees bent and feet flat, hip-width apart. Place your palms behind you, directly below your shoulders, fingers pointing toward your feet. Inhale and raise your hips up until your body forms a straight line from shoulders to knees. Pause at the top of the lift, making sure your tailbone is pointing toward the backs of your knees to avoid tension in your lower back. Hold for two to three breaths.
Keep your hips high and maintain your balance as you slowly lift your left foot off the floor. Place your left outer ankle on your right thigh (just above your knee). Press out through your left heel to prevent your left knee from twisting. Hold this pose for three breaths as you focus on raising your chest and hips up to the ceiling and opening your left knee to the side. Lower your hips to the floor and repeat on the other side.
Voight is the creator of a line of fitness DVDs, including “Full Body Stretch” and “Ballet BodySculpt.”
