Core · Bodyweight
Lying Leg Raise
How to do the lying leg raise, 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 flat on your back with your legs extended and hands at your sides or under your hips. Keeping your legs straight, raise them up toward 90 degrees, then lower them slowly without letting your feet touch the floor. Keep your lower back pressed into the ground throughout.
- 1Feel your lower abs lifting your legs while keeping them straight
- 2Keep your lower back pressed into the floor for core engagement
- 3Lower your legs slowly to keep tension on the abs
Common mistakes
- Avoid arching your back; reduce the range if it lifts
- Don't swing your legs; move deliberately
- Avoid straining your neck; keep your head relaxed on the floor
Muscles worked
The lying leg raise mainly works the lower abs and hip flexors, with the upper abs, obliques, and glutes assisting.
- Lower AbsPrimary
- Hip FlexorsPrimary
- Upper AbsSupport
- ObliquesSupport
- GlutesSupport
- ForearmsMinor
- QuadsMinor
Kovo programs the lying leg raise for you and tracks it every session.
The AI builds your whole program, drops the right lifts into each workout, and adjusts 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 bicycle crunches
- How to do the cable crunch
- How to do the cable pallof press
- How to do the woodchop
- How to do the captains chair leg raise
Last reviewed June 2026.