Leg raises are a easy bodyweight exercise that work your core from the hips via the midsection. Although usually considered as an efficient method to produce six-pack abs, leg raises additionally goal the hip flexors, glutes, and pelvic ground. When completed accurately, the core does all of the work, and the legs are alongside for the trip. This is how one can construct this pivotal transfer into your lower-body exercise.
Leg Elevate Advantages
Focusing on the higher and decrease belly muscular tissues, leg raises enhance core energy. In contrast to many actions, this train requires no gear aside from a yoga mat or a delicate floor to lie upon—so there’s no excuse to not do it at dwelling or whereas touring. Since leg raises contain hip flexors, hamstrings, and glutes, they’re an amazing bang in your buck, working three areas again into alignment in spite of everything these hours hovering over desks and steering wheels. Leg raises even strengthen the pelvic ground, which is important for guys seeking to maximize erections, stop urinary points, and even stop untimely ejaculation.
Related: 50 Best Leg Exercises of All Time to Build Muscle
What Muscle tissues Do Leg Raises Work?
All motion begins from the transverse abdominis, which originates from the decrease backbone and wraps round and attaches to the ribs, abs, and pelvis. The “TA” is the primary muscle that fires in the course of the motion. No less than it ought to be for leg raises to be efficient—in any other case, you’re simply flailing the legs.
Few actions work the decrease and higher abs as a lot as this easy train that requires the glutes to fireside and the hip flexors to maneuver accurately. Don’t dismiss leg raises as simply ab work. They’re an efficient method to construct core energy, counteract hours spent sitting, and forestall accidents.

Beth Bischoff
Learn how to Do Leg Raises
- Lie flat in your again on a yoga or train mat and prolong your legs. Your arms ought to be alongside the perimeters of your physique and your palms pressed frivolously into the ground. You may as well maintain onto a hard and fast object behind you, like a bench.
- Activate your transverse abdominis by pulling your stomach button in as if pushing the decrease again into the bottom. Exhale and slowly raise legs.
- Elevate your legs till they’re at 90 levels from the ground and your decrease again begins to come back off the bottom. At this level, cease, and full your exhalation.
- As you slowly decrease your legs, inhale and preserve contact between your low again and ground.
- On the finish of the motion, hold your ft hovering off the ground. The hot button is to maintain your low again on the bottom and your core engaged.
Related: The 10 Best Legs Exercises for Beginners
Learn how to Add a Leg Elevate Right into a Exercise
Leg raises match into any exercise, dwelling or away, with or with out gear. You probably have a stretching routine within the morning or earlier than mattress, leg raises assist to convey the physique again into alignment. You probably have an everyday abs program, leg raises can go anyplace within the exercise.
Some desire them to come back on the finish, not as a result of they’re probably the most difficult transfer (although they’re not straightforward), however as a result of they assist reset your posture. In addition they match into conventional energy exercises. Drop and do some leg raises in case you have a minute or two earlier than units of something, particularly on leg days.
Leg Elevate Variations
When you lack core energy, attempt bringing your legs to a 45-degree angle slightly than the complete 90 levels—or begin with one set of 10 (and even 5) slightly than doing three units of 10 reps at first. Higher to grasp correct respiratory and 5 appropriate reps than set up dangerous habits.
To make leg raises more durable, raise your legs one after the other. Tougher nonetheless: Carry your pelvis off the bottom or your legs as much as the facet to work the obliques and enhance hip rotation. Make sure to transfer from the hips and core.
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