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Question on some exercises

yessicarathsak Posts: 249 Joined: 2007/09/20	2008/03/17, 11:55 AM The exercise program I'm doing now has one move that I'm not familiar with, and one that I don't know the proper form for. Hopefully you can help me. The one I don't understand is squatting with your legs together. I can do it easily and still get past 90 degrees, but I've just never heard of doing squats that way. Is there a difference in the muscles used or something? The move that I'm not sure I'm doing right is basically a crunch on an exercise ball, but your arms are extended over your head with your hands clasped together. When going back down from sitting up, is it okay to overextend and arch your back on the ball, or should you only go to a straight line? I just want to make sure I'm not hurting my back or taking away focus from my abs. Thanks in advance!
wrestler125 Posts: 4,619 Joined: 2004/01/27	2008/03/17, 12:34 PM The squats with the legs together should be more quad dominant because it will prevent you from sitting back, but it will also put more stress on the patella and may be difficult because of balance or flexibility limitations. I've never seen the need to utilize this particular move, but if it's in your program... Studies have shown that the abdominals are worked through a 15 degree ROM in extension, so the purpose of the ball is not only to provide an unstable surface but to allow you to apply resistance in a loaded stretch to the abdominals. -------------- SQUAT MORE ~Jesse Marunde Blood Guts Sweat Chalk