Leg raise

Coreintermediaterepsno equipment

Lying on the back with straight legs together and hands by the sides or under the glutes, the straight legs lift until they point at the ceiling (hips 90 degrees), then lower slowly to just above the floor without touching it.

How to do it

1. Lie on your back, legs straight and together, arms along the body palms down (or hands under the glutes), head on the floor.
2. Press the lower back into the floor and lift the heels a few centimetres off the floor; this is the start.
3. Keeping the knees straight, raise both legs until they are vertical, hips flexed about 90 degrees.
4. Lower the legs slowly, knees straight, until the heels hover 5-10 cm above the floor; do not let them touch, then raise again.
5. Head, shoulders, arms and lower back stay on the floor throughout.

Muscles worked

Main: abs, quads
Supporting: obliques