Hang from an overhead bar and lift your straight legs up by flexing the hips and contracting the abdominals. The movement primarily works the abdominal muscles.
How to do the Hanging Leg Raise#
- Reach up and grasp an overhead bar and let your arms extend with your legs hanging straight together.
- Brace your core and keep your torso stable before initiating the lift.
- Raise your legs in a controlled motion until they are roughly level with your torso (about 90°).
- Pause briefly with your abs engaged, then lower your legs slowly back to the hanging start and repeat.
Muscles worked#
- Primary: Abs, Hip flexors
- Secondary: Forearms, Lats, Obliques
Common mistakes#
- Swinging the body to gain momentum instead of using the abs.
- Bending the knees partway through the movement.
- Letting the lower back arch during the lift.
- Dropping the legs quickly on the descent instead of controlling the lowering.
