Ab exercises

Hollow Body Hold

Also known as: Κράτημα hollow body · hollow hold · hollow position · hollow body

Primary
Abs
Equipment
Bodyweight
Type
Isolation
Suggested rest
45 s

How to do the Hollow Body Hold

  1. Lie on your back and press your lower back into the floor by bracing your abs.

  2. Lift your shoulders and legs off the floor with your arms extended overhead.

  3. Keep your lower back down; if it lifts, bend your knees or bring your arms forward.

  4. Hold the position, breathing normally, for your target time.

Sets and reps

GoalSetsRepsRest
Holds320–60 s45 s

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 Hollow Body Hold doesn’t suit your gym or your joints.

Train smarter

Bodyweight ab exercises