Core · Bodyweight
Criss Cross Elbow to Knee
How to do the criss cross elbow to knee, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Bodyweight
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Logged as
- Reps
- Movement
- Rotation
- Mechanic
- Compound
How to do it
Stand tall and bring one elbow across your body toward the opposite knee as you lift it, then switch sides in a steady cross-crawl rhythm. Rotate through your trunk on each rep and keep a slight bounce in your standing leg.
- 1Your obliques contracting as your elbow crosses toward the opposite knee
- 2Your hip flexors lifting the knee up to meet the elbow
- 3A steady cardio rhythm with controlled rotation through your trunk
Common mistakes
- Do not just round your shoulders forward; rotate through your waist
- Do not hunch your upper back to reach the knee; bring the knee up too
- Do not rush so much that you lose the crossover and the twist
Muscles worked
The criss cross elbow to knee mainly works the obliques, with the lower abs, hip flexors, upper abs, and quads assisting.
- ObliquesPrimary
- Lower AbsSupport
- Hip FlexorsSupport
- Upper AbsSupport
- QuadsSupport
- GlutesMinor
- HamstringsMinor
- CalvesMinor
Kovo programs the criss cross elbow to knee 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.