captain's chair vs hanging ab lifts?

Hi,

I have a home gym, so I am limited on equipment (and space). I know using the captains chair is a great ab exercise (the best according to a recent study). Does anyone know how a hanging ab lift compares to using the captains chair? Of course it requires you to be able to hang on to a bar, thus you swing about a lot more - but how does it differ in muscles targeted? I would assume it would be less specific since you cannot isolate the area quite as well, yet I would guess it would work more muscles since you have to stabilize yourself.

Thanks!

Kris

Exactly.  The hanging leg lift is a lot more difficult because you have to stabilize yourself.  If you do it well, and minimize swinging, you'll be using a lot more of your body.  I prefer it over the chair.  It is more difficult at first, but you'll get used to it.

Also, if you have a stability ball, you may want to try rolling planks - forearms on ball, feet together behind, roll out on elbows and back.  Also try making a figure 8 with your elbows on the ball for a challenge to the core.

Thanks ds!I have been doing physio ball jacknives with a 5s hold while in a plank. I haven't tried the figure 8's - that sounds like a good one. I found some hanging arm bands at half the price I had seen them at fitnesss stores, so I picked those up - just in case my arms aren't strong enough to hold me yet. I figure they would be useful for dips too.