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About Karen Sullivan
Expertise
Karen can help with lifting technique, muscle recovery, weight loss, body building and powerlifting. She has been certified by AFPA for the last 10 years as a Personal Trainer and has recently acquired a certification from the same agency as a Post Rehabilitative Exercise Specialist. Any recommendations or advice rendered are based on fitness information as specified by the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Fitness Professionals and Associates.

Experience

Past/Present clients
Clients include athletes training for marathons, mountain climbing and general weight loss. In addition I have clients troubled with COPD, Fibromyalgia, and Parkinsons as well as stroke rehab. She was the Strength and Conditioning coach for Williamsburg Aquatic Club, a USA Swim Team, in Williamsburg, Virginia for 3 years. Karen is presently working at Main Street Gym in Historic St. Charles, Missouri where she teaches Pilates and continues her work with clients. Her training reaches across the country with her long distance Body Restoration eTraining. Her dedication to fitness reaches into the nutritional supplementation with Shaklee products. She only works with clients who add nutritional supplementation to their training. Read more of her story on www.shaklee.net/BodyRestoration

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Weightlifting & Exercise - Leg raises - causes popping?

Expert: Karen Sullivan - 10/22/2009

Question
Hi Karen! Here's hoping you can provide some advice.

During some of my workout classes, we do ab work on the floor. I have noticed even before this class that when lying on my back and doing leg raises to strengthen the abs overall, that when lowering my legs to the floor I feel a sort of "pop" in the center of my right upper thigh - sortof in the same way your jaw "pops" when you open it if while jaw muscles are overworked. It feels right about at the junction of where my thigh meets my lower abs. There is no pain, but it does keep the movement from being as smooth as I'd like. I don't know if this could be an indication that something is lined up incorrectly, or if there is another problem keeping me from gaining the full benefits of this move. Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,
Serena

Answer
Serena, I don't know that this is a bad thing and it is just from the way you were put together on the assembly line. I tell people to change the position of their legs. In other words like turn the toes out to try to get that to stop. Then also you can just limit your range of motion and don't drop your feet so close to the floor. If you are working the abdomen right you can employ those muscles by pulling the belly button in to the spine and blow all the air out and you will more accurately use the transversus abdominus and get a better workout. I never let my clients drop their legs lower than a 90 degree angle. They start at 90 and pull the legs over their heads. I call it a pedicure check! LOL.

Anyway, try that!
Karen

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