Core · Bodyweight
Lying Criss Cross Legs
How to do the lying criss cross legs, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Bodyweight
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Logged as
- Weighted reps
- Movement
- Flexion
- Mechanic
- Isolation
How to do it
Lie on your back with your legs extended and lifted off the floor. Keeping your lower back pressed down, cross one leg over the other in a scissoring motion, alternating top and bottom legs.
- 1Feel your lower abs hold your legs up as they cross
- 2Press your lower back into the floor the whole time
- 3Keep your legs long and the motion controlled
Common mistakes
- Do not let your lower back arch off the floor
- Do not hold your breath; breathe steadily
- Do not swing your legs; cross them under control
Muscles worked
The lying criss cross legs mainly works the lower abs and hip flexors, with the adductors, upper abs, obliques, and quads assisting.
- Lower AbsPrimary
- Hip FlexorsPrimary
- AdductorsSupport
- Upper AbsSupport
- ObliquesSupport
- QuadsSupport
- HamstringsMinor
Kovo programs the lying criss cross legs 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.