Hello when i attempt to do pifer scissors it just does not happen. when ever i attempt to straighten my leg my legs do not cooperate they end up becoming bowed out and bent. does anyone has any words of wisdom to help me. Usually i just put my hands behind my calfs, but i dont feel very much at all when doing that.

Just know that you aren't alone with struggling on this exercise. I'm in my 4th week now and I just started skipping it and doing crunches instead. I know it isn't the same thing, but at least I'm still working. I found that doing those wiped me our for the next few exercises and skipping it allows me to do the others a lot better.

Ya I don't care for the scissors much either. I can do them, but at Tony's pace I struggle. My right hip hates the movement, it pops, cracks and thumps. I found if I do it on my own count, a touch faster I can do them more effectively. I still suck at them, my hammies are tight but getting better by the week.

Oh, I also found that once I get my leg as far up as I can i just use my hand to stabilize it and straighten it out. Might not be perfect but it helps me complete that portion somewhat effectively.

I have trouble myself on that. I can make it to a 12 count beofre I have to put my leg down and the legs that is up is now where near straight. I just do it the best that I can. I do get through about 18, just not at the same form.

I decided it's better to bend my leg a bit so only my thigh is at 90 degrees, that way my lower back is still touching the floor. Even though my leg is not straight, I'm getting a good workout. I'm now able to do all of them after 120 days, but it took me 60+ days before I was able to get through them all. I either didn't do them all, or paused the DVD to finish the set.

I too hate this exercise. My problem is my lower back. It hurts like crazy when I do it. I started putting my hands under my back and that helps. I'm able to get my legs up to a decent height.

I finally did all 25 tonight. Argh! Just you wait this will be listed as a torture device next to waterboarding.

I'm in week 8 and I've just started to be able to do the scissors somewhat effectively. It just takes time to develope the strength and flexibility to do this. I've found that if you tighten the glute as much as you can on the outstretched leg, it helps you raise the other. Your behind will also be very sore the next day. Mine is right now.

the point is to never have any leg touch the floor at any given moment, trust me, if you do it correctly you won't feel it in your legs, but in your abs, it is definitely extreme

Make sure you are flexing your feet also, weird but it helps a whole lot. Also remember your yoga when it starts to burn and BREATH through it......

Yes as I have found out its not really keeping your legs straight so much as it is keeping them both up and off the floor. Do your best to keep them up as long as possible, for me I can last about 15-20 secs before my abs can't take the strain anymore.

I am on week 3 and for the first time did AbR-X in the afternoon several hours after doing arms and shoulders in the early am. For the first time I was able to perform 25 reps, pifer scissors was much easier and for Mason Twist keep feet off the floor. I did use a folded mat and the legs were slightly bent, feet off the floor, legs together and the chest forward doing 50 reps. Looking into the future with legs straight rather than bent!!!

runningjunkie wrote:

QUOTE:
I too hate this exercise. My problem is my lower back. It hurts like crazy when I do it. I started putting my hands under my back and that helps. I'm able to get my legs up to a decent height.

SAME HERE DUDE!!!

I DONT HATE THIS EXERCISE THO...

Veerukka wrote:

QUOTE:
I decided it's better to bend my leg a bit so only my thigh is at 90 degrees, that way my lower back is still touching the floor. Even though my leg is not straight, I'm getting a good workout. I'm now able to do all of them after 120 days, but it took me 60+ days before I was able to get through them all. I either didn't do them all, or paused the DVD to finish the set.

I agree... just do the best you can with a bent leg. Keep your legs off the ground as the others have said. With time it will get better. I know some who have done P90X for a very long time that still can't straighten their legs, so they still do it slightly bent. Btw, some of these people have killer abs!

Woo Hoo!!!! Finally completed those suckers!! Now if I could just figure out why I cant seem to get the side Obliques thing down....