To Perform the Basic Active Straight Leg Raise Exercise:

1. Begin by lying on your back with both legs fully extended and your hands resting underneath your hips. From this position, tighten your abdominal muscles as if you were trying to brace yourself from being hit in the stomach. This will keep the low back stable during the exercise (Figure 1).
   
   
2. Keeping one leg resting on the floor, raise the opposite leg up towards the ceiling (Figure 2). Hold the leg up for 1-2 seconds. Slowly lower the leg back towards the floor, then lift the leg up once again. As you raise and lower the leg, try not to allow the foot to touch the ground and concentrate on holding the abdominal muscles tight for the entire exercise.
   
   
3. Perform as many repetitions as possible while maintaining perfect form, rest for 30 - 60 seconds, then perform a second set to failure.