Help with a particular exercise

pkbryant28

The exercise that I am attempting to do is where you start from a seated position raise one leg in front of you and stand up, not sure what it is called but I posted a picture below. My question is, what can I do to increase my ability to do this? I cannot do this no matter how hard I try, are there any other exercises that will help me build the strength to do these? I take a bootcamp class and I am the only one who cannot do these, why???? Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

89nunu

It's an exercise that works your quads, so anything for this muscle group would do.
Examples:

Squats with heels raised on a 1-2 inch plate/step (if you can also hold some weights in your hands hut body weight for the beginning is good too)

Single leg half squats (basically looks similar to what you are intending to do just that you start from the top and go as far down as you can, about half as far down as actually sitting down)

Flixie00

My PT makes me do these sometimes, they can be quite testing. The exercise is basically a squat, although balance comes into play. Squats will obviously help, ideally with added weight. For balance, try doing squats on a upturned bosu ball. Hand placement may help, try doing them with your hand linked infront of you. Good luck.

EricaFaythe

I'd wager to say that quads aren't the culprit, bur that core strength is. Anything that requires balance is going to require core strength, so I'd suggest you start focusing on tightening your core with every exercise you do. It'll help immensely.

pkbryant28

Thanks y'all I will work on my quads and my core strength.

rick_po

I always called these things pistol squats, and they aren't easy.

Practice them with a chair beside you. Put your hand on the back of the chair, but try not to use it unless you start to lose balance.

You need some ankle and hip flexibility to get low.