Have you ever wondered how some aerialists effortlessly lift their legs sky-high in moves like pike lifts and straight-arm inversions? It's not only about flexible hamstrings – your abs, hip flexors, and active compression ability (bringing your upper and lower halves together) all pitch in too.
In this week's tip, I'm sharing one of my favorite exercises to enhance active compression for straight-arm inversions, which is also beneficial for anything involving lifting your legs – from regular inversions to hip keys.
You might be wondering what to do if your hamstrings are tight. I've gotcha - watch through the end of the video below for my go-to hamstring series that also improves active compression!
You may be thinking ... "Jill, will I ever be able to invert with straight arms if my hamstrings are tight?" Absolutely! It's a bit more demanding on your upper body. The higher you lift your legs, the less distance you have to cover to get over. If your legs are lower, you can still do it, but you'll need to start pressing with your arms sooner, requiring more energy and strength.
Give it a try and elevate your aerial game with this week's exercise!
P.S. If you have yet to grab your free Straight Arm Inversion guide, click here to download it!
Is there an alternative way I could practice this at home/sans aerial set-up?