Ab exercises

Hanging Leg Raise

Also known as: Relevés de jambes suspendu · Ανυψώσεις ποδιών στο μονόζυγο · hanging leg raises · HLR

Primary
Abs
Equipment
Bodyweight
Level
Advanced
Type
Isolation
Suggested rest
1 min

How to do the Hanging Leg Raise

  1. Hang from the pull-up bar with straight arms.

  2. Brace your core so you don't swing.

  3. Raise your legs, almost straight, to hip height or higher while tilting your pelvis up slightly.

  4. Lower your legs slowly without using momentum.

Sets and reps

GoalSetsRepsRest
Muscle growth2–410–151 min
Muscular endurance2–315–2545 s

When you hit the top of the rep range on every set, add a rep or a harder variation next session.

Starting points from training research. Stop each set 1–3 reps short of failure.

Muscles worked

Primary

Abs

Secondary

Obliques

The abs flex your spine and stop it from arching. Mix crunching moves (crunches, leg raises) with anti-extension work (planks, rollouts).

Alternatives

Same muscles, similar movement: swap in one of these if the Hanging Leg Raise doesn’t suit your gym or your joints.

Train smarter

Bodyweight ab exercises