How to do this exercise: You’ll need a stability ball and a bench for this exercise. Get on top of the stability ball, placing the ball between yourself and the bench and putting the middle of the ball at your mid-pelvis position. Grab onto the bench with an underhand grip. Start with your legs relaxed. When you’re ready take a breath in and raise your legs parallel to the floor by squeezing your glutes and your hamstrings. Brace your core (think tucking in your belly button to your spine, or preparing for someone to punch you in your stomach) and then slowly lower your legs to the starting point while slowly breathing out. Aim for about 5 seconds. Take a breath in and repeat for 6-8 reps.

If this is still too easy: wrap a resistance band around your feet, attached to something like a dumbbell below you, and use that for extra resistance; or have someone push downwards against your feet as you slowly lower them (you’ll be lowering while simultaneously pushing back against them too)

This is a great exercise:

• For a challenging exercise with limited equipment
• Great for strengthening muscles that stabilize your pelvis, in particular your glutes; for anyone with a tight lower back this will help take relax your lower back