Core · Bodyweight
Bicycle V-up
How to do the bicycle v-up, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Bodyweight
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Logged as
- Weighted reps
- Movement
- Flexion
- Mechanic
- Isolation
How to do it
Lie on your back with your legs extended and arms overhead. Fold up into a V by lifting your torso and legs together, then add a bicycle motion at the top by drawing one knee in and twisting the opposite elbow toward it. Lower under control and repeat, keeping the abs working the whole time.
- 1Your upper and lower abs folding together on the V-up
- 2Your obliques twisting on the bicycle at the top
- 3Your torso reaching up through the fold
Common mistakes
- Using momentum to swing into the V
- Letting your lower back arch off the floor
- Holding your breath; exhale as you fold up
Muscles worked
The bicycle v-up mainly works the upper abs, lower abs, and obliques, with the hip flexors assisting.
- Upper AbsPrimary
- Lower AbsPrimary
- ObliquesPrimary
- Hip FlexorsSupport
- QuadsMinor
Kovo programs the bicycle v-up for you and tracks it every session.
We build your whole program, drop the right lifts into each workout, and adjust your weights as you get stronger. Free on iOS and Android.
More abs & core exercises
- How to do the ab wheel rollout
- How to do the ankle tap plank
- How to do the ankle taps
- How to do the resistance band dead bugs
- How to do the resistance band pallof press
- How to do the rollout
Last reviewed June 2026.