I ran across another great Alwyn Cosgrove article that I want to share: The Best Exercise You're Not Doing. I had forgotten about these little s and am off to the gym this morning to see if Old Creaky Knees can still do 'em.
Ouch! Yup, that's in my standard repertoire. I start beginners with an adjustable reebok step and keep upping the height. It's not so hard when you work your way up to a full height bench rather than start with one. Just remember, it's your heel that should just kiss the ground. No fair putting your weight down on your foot!
My physical therapist made me do those. Eventually she added a spongy cushion and made me do them off the spongy cushion on a step. Although I had to hold on to something when I was on a spongy cushion. Those things are killer.
Hmmm, I have a step at home - somewhere. I'm not trying them in the gym til I'm sure I won't make a fool of myself! And certainly not on something as high as a bench for awhile. Does look like a killer, oops, effective exercise though.
I did them last night on my step. I hadn't done them in a while so I had to use the wall to steady my balance or else i'd step down completely without meaning to do so. Sucks since it has only been a month since I stopped going to the physical therapist and I was doing these really well on a step. Oh well.
I should also say my booty is sore today from that and other exercises of last night.
I was able to do these fairly easily on a step with 2 risers, but on the bench could go about 2/3 of the way down before I could no longer control the movement and the foot came down. Will have to go through his steps to work on my weak spot. May also find a few more sets of risers for the step and work my way up that way as well.
Managed almost to the floor from standing on a chair, then had to have a little push off the floor with my heel to get back up. I'm going to try them on two steps at lunchtime!
Update on funny leggy things - I'm getting BETTER!
I put 2 reebock steps on top of each other at the gym, one on the highest setting and one on the lowest setting, then I crank out 3 or 4. Then I swap sides and can do about 3 or 4 sets. I think the form is something I have to work on (I don't like sticking my butt out too far, cos you know, it'll eclipse the sun cos it's so big!) and I'll be able to crank out a few more and then proceed to the bench (duh duh duuuuuuuuuuh!)
Ouch! My legs hurt just reading the article! That's definitley one to try in the privacy of my home before heading to the gym. Especially since I am so accident prone.
I work out with Kettlebells and one day would like to do pistols. They are awesome and I am in awe of anyone who can do them and do them multiple times. And to do them with an 88 lb KB in each hand.....thats just cool! This article gives me some good ideas on how to practice and prepare my legs to do them. As of now, I can get down, but can't get back up for the life of me.
The Best Exercise You're Not Doing - Article
s and am off to the gym this morning to see if Old Creaky Knees can still do 'em. 
I like the thing that says it'll make you jump higher... I like that 
