Hip flexion on a machine of parallel bars

Perform the described movement slowly and steadily while keeping the involved joints aligned. Complete the range without using momentum through the hardest portion. Keep the same range from repetition to repetition instead of speeding up as you fatigue. Breathe continuously and end the set before technique starts to break down.

Choose a resistance that lets you preserve technique from start to finish. You should feel most of the work in abdominals and glutes and hip flexors; if you feel sharp pain, joint pinching or a clear loss of control, reduce the load or range and stop if symptoms persist. Set the seat, backrest and machine axis before loading it; poor setup changes the path and often creates compensations.