i just started last week and i had trouble with this one too! a lot of the ladies in this group encouraged me to do my best, keep trying, and get back on that ball. i was discouraged because i didn't look like the lady in the picture, with her butt up in the air. everyone said that it takes practice and that you'll get better as you go on! i am ready to tackle it next time i go! you can do it too!

Today is the first day of NROL4W for me. I had no problems doing the other exercises. I had to modify the push ups to do them though. I cannot do the prone jackknife moves. I struggle to keep my balance on the ball. Very frustrating!! What can I do??

Me too jkbear40, me too.

I'm somewhat fortunate (I guess?) with this exercise because it's very similar to activities I did while doing several months of PT recently for my lower back, so it's come pretty easily for me. The best advice I can give is to focus solely on keeping your core tight and bringing your knees into your chest. Make sure to keep looking down, and don't worry about rolling up onto your toes. Just roll to the tops of your feet (this will make more sense when you do the exercise). You'll feel your core muscles working the hardest when you stretch back out into push up position.

I felt like the book's description over complicated the exercise a little bit. Just start in push up position and bring your knees into your chest. The rest will take care of itself. Hopefully that helps!

I was struggling with this move to. The other day I happened to put my hands on the bench I was using for my step ups and it really helped. I was able to roll the ball further up and definitely felt it in my abs more than I have the other few times I've done it. Wondering if it might be like push ups where you work your way up to the full version.

I'm somewhat fortunate (I guess?) with this exercise because it's very similar to activities I did while doing several months of PT recently for my lower back, so it's come pretty easily for me. The best advice I can give is to focus solely on keeping your core tight and bringing your knees into your chest. Make sure to keep looking down, and don't worry about rolling up onto your toes. Just roll to the tops of your feet (this will make more sense when you do the exercise). You'll feel your core muscles working the hardest when you stretch back out into push up position.

I felt like the book's description over complicated the exercise a little bit. Just start in push up position and bring your knees into your chest. The rest will take care of itself. Hopefully that helps!

I think you need to push back with your arms some too.

I found this video on youtube. Glad he showed me easier ways to get on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pe0kTx2wDoQ

My balance is horrible too. I kept falling at first. I adjusted and put the ball closer to my knees. My ball is half flat too (thanks to a stink bug in my pump). I don't think this hurts and i'll try and improve as I go. My abs still were/are sore after working out.

Good Luck!

I just started NROLFW a week or so ago, the first time I did the prone jackknife (or tried to) I could barely get on the ball without wobbling, and when I was on, my back arched in and I had to get off to prevent hurting my back! Today is an off day for me, and I tried at home with my own ball. I haven't gotten that much stronger over the last week or so, and I had no problem doing all the reps.

In summary, I struggled with this move, and doing it on it's own worked really well for me. By the time I got to it during my workout my body was too tired to hold me up. I will continue to substitute crunches for this exercise at the gym, and do them on their own in the privacy of my house!

My two biggest issues with the jackknife were sweaty shins and poor balance. I try to wear workout pants now because no amount of towel drying will stop the sweat from sliding me right off every time.

For the balance though, I have a yoga mat that I do the jackknife on. The mat seems to grip the ball and keep it from darting out from under me suddenly but doesn't make the exercise any harder to do.

Your determination is admirable, good job!

I hope eventually I can do them exactly like the book says. I am not putting my butt in the air like it shows. Practice, practice.

Actually, your butt shouldn't go up in the air like the book shows - your back should actually remain flat. Just pull your knees in and push them back out. You're doing them correctly.

Bumping to say thanks for the youtube suggestion. Really helpful.