The secret sauce in this exercise is using your abs to control your movement on the way down. Uncurl slowly instead of just letting gravity pull you down.
- Lie on your back with a one- to two-kilogram dumbbell in each hand. Raise your arms straight up above your chest with a slight bend at each elbow. Raise your legs up to tabletop with your knees and hips bent to 90-degree angles.
- Inhale and open your arms to your sides with control. Exhale as you bring your arms back up to starting position.
- Lift your upper back and curl up toward your legs, pushing your weights toward your shins. As you curl up, stretch your legs out in front of you.
- Uncurl your spine slowly as you lower your upper body to the floor while bending your knees back to 90-degree angles and bringing your arms straight up above your chest again. This counts as one rep.
Image Source: Sam Kang