Stomach Massage
Plane of Motion
Sagittal
Spring Setting
Light / Medium
1 Short Light or Medium Spring
Muscle Focus
Spinal Flexors
Rectus Abdominis, Internal Oblique, External Oblique
Maintain the c-curve throughout the exercise.
Engage deeper to pull the legs to the chest.
Assist the hip flexors to support the legs on the bar when straight.
Hip Flexors
Iliopsoas, Rectus Femoris, Sartorius, Tensor Fasciae Latae, Pectineus
Assist the spinal flexors to pull the knees to the chest.
Assist the spinal flexors to support the legs on the bar when straight.
Hip Adductors
Gluteus Medius, Gluteus Minimus, Tensor Fascia Latae
Engage throughout the exercise to keep the heels squeezed together and build the midline connection.
Keep the legs closed together when straight.
Other Muscles at Play
Spinal stabilizers create lumbo-pelvic stabilization and assist with the flexors to pull the knees to the chest.
Scapular depressors and retractors (adductors) keep the shoulders down away from the ears and resist the shoulders from rounding forward or hunching.
Knee extensors straighten the knees.
Plantar flexors keep the feet pointed.
Objectives
Strengthen abdominal engagement while maintaining a steady, well-supported C-curve through the spine.
Improve the mobility of the spine and hips while using the abdominals to support and guide the movement.
Teaches deep abdominal initiation and engagement using the exhale to pull the legs to the chest.
Focus on breathing to synchronize the movement.