One of the questions I hear most often from climbers is "what's the best way to strengthen the core for overhangs?" Included are two exercises that combine the tension and twisting that you'd typically experience on an overhanging route. One involves hanging from a bar and raising the knees or legs, simultaneously or one at a time; the other involves moving a sizeable dumbbell from one side of the body to the other while standing. Neither exercise involves lying on the ground performing countless crunches. Visit www.bodyresults.com for more ideas.

To perform the Cross-Body Deadlift (both pictures) stand with feet shoulder width apart and a substantial dumbbell resting near your left foot. Squat down to the ground (back flat and chest forward) and grasp the weight with your left hand. Stand up and draw an arc around the body with palm remaining facing your legs, and set the weight down to the outside of your right foot. Without standing up, grab the dumbbell with the right hand, stand, and set the dumbbell back down to the outside of your left foot once again. Repeat back and forth for desired number of repetitions. Exhale as you lift, and concentrate on driving up with the legs.

To perform Hanging Leg Raises (right, bottom), grasp a pull up bar with an palms forward and lift your knees as high to your chest as possible. As you lower, make sure your body does not swing excessively. If you can touch your feet to the floor, just still your body before lifting again. To make this move more challenging, lift legs straight out in front of you, or even harder still, try bringing your feet all the way up to touch the bar! If it's too difficult to lift both knees at the same time, try alternating one knee at a time. Work up to alternating one straight leg at a time, as high as you can lift it. For those who have access to a home gym, try putting small nubbins in the wall to simulate keeping foot contact on the "rock" while walking feet upward.