Core · Bodyweight
Lying Leg Cross
How to do the lying leg cross, 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
- Flexion
- Mechanic
- Isolation
How to do it
Lie on your back with your legs extended and lifted a few inches off the floor. Open your legs wide, then cross one over the other in a scissoring motion, alternating which leg is on top each rep. Keep your lower back pressed down and core engaged throughout.
- 1Feel your lower abs and inner thighs work as your legs cross
- 2Press your lower back into the floor to protect your spine
- 3Keep the motion controlled and led by your core
Common mistakes
- Don't let your lower back arch off the floor
- Avoid letting your feet drift too high; keep tension on the abs
- Don't rush; control the crossing both ways
Muscles worked
The lying leg cross mainly works the lower abs and hip flexors, with the upper abs, adductors, obliques, and quads assisting.
- Lower AbsPrimary
- Hip FlexorsPrimary
- Upper AbsSupport
- AdductorsSupport
- ObliquesSupport
- QuadsSupport
- HamstringsMinor
Kovo programs the lying leg cross 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.