You can work your way up by strengthening your core with exercises like planks, flutter kicks, and even Pilates. When you do feel comfortable (and confident) enough to try some hanging leg raises ...

Pilates ball exercises are highly effective for building ... but traditional core exercises like planks, crunches, and leg raises can be effective without it as well.

Leg raises are the kind of exercise that PTs and pilates instructors love sticking ... I’ve achieved mini wins of bench leg raises, medicine ball leg raises, and hanging leg raises.