Knee Raises?

[Peter_Puget]

In the gym I see many variations of knee raises. Typical varieties are:

 

a - legs hanging straight and knees brought up and then legs straightened.

 

b - Legs brought up with knees bent a somewhat constant angle.

 

c - Hanging from arm straps.

 

d - Hanging from a pullup bar.

 

e - Hanging from arm rests.

 

So my questions are: Why so many variations? Are some just plain wrong? Why not just do situps?

 

PP

 

Help I need more stars!

Edited December 3, 2002 by Peter_Puget

[Bronco]

f. hanging from your ice tools with climbing boots and crampons on, legs flailing around in all sorts of motions.

 

Because it's a lot funner than situps- NO STARS FOR YOU!

[Courtenay]

Peter,

 

There are as many different ways to work the abs as for any other muscle -- the key is variety. Hanging knee raises (or propped, or leaning on a bench, or ...) are actually more directly related to climbing than crunches on the floor because they more closely mimic the position you'd be in on overhung routes. Let's face it, there aren't a lot of times (don't even dare to get crass here, guys! ) when you are out in the mountains and starting any move lying on your back. Better to load the spine in an upright position which more closely simulates common alpine positions. And I don't want to have to come back here and delete a lot of messages, sprayers...