Core · Bodyweight
Modified Lying Leg Raise
How to do the modified 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 on your back with your hands under your hips or at your sides and one leg bent with the foot flat on the floor. Keep the working leg fairly straight and raise it up until it points toward the ceiling, then lower it slowly without letting it touch the floor. Finish your reps, then switch legs.
- 1Feel your lower abs and hip flexors lift the leg
- 2Press your lower back flat into the floor throughout
- 3Lower the leg slowly to keep tension on your core
Common mistakes
- Do not let your lower back arch off the floor
- Avoid swinging or dropping the leg down fast
- Do not hold your breath; exhale as you lift
Muscles worked
The modified lying leg raise mainly works the lower abs and hip flexors, with the upper abs and quads assisting.
- Lower AbsPrimary
- Hip FlexorsPrimary
- Upper AbsSupport
- QuadsSupport
- ObliquesMinor
- HamstringsMinor
Kovo programs the modified lying leg raise 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.