What equipment do you need for the seated knee raise leg raise on a chair?

The seated knee raise leg raise on a chair is a bodyweight exercise and needs no equipment.

Core · Bodyweight

Seated Knee Raise Leg Raise on a Chair

How to do the seated knee raise leg raise on a chair, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.

Equipment: Bodyweight
Difficulty: Intermediate
Logged as: Reps
Movement: Flexion
Mechanic: Isolation

Find more:Abs & Core exercises Bodyweight exercises

How to do it

Sit on the edge of a chair holding the sides for support and lean back slightly. Lift one knee toward your chest, then extend that leg straight out in front of you, before bending and lowering it back down. Alternate or complete reps on one side, keeping your core braced throughout.

1Feel your lower abs and hip flexors raise and extend the leg
2Keep your torso braced and steady as the leg moves
3Control the leg back down rather than dropping it

Common mistakes

Don't rock your torso to drive the leg up
Avoid rounding your lower back as you extend
Don't let momentum take over the movement

Muscles worked

The seated knee raise leg raise on a chair mainly works the lower abs and hip flexors, with the upper abs and quads assisting.

Lower AbsPrimary
Hip FlexorsPrimary
Upper AbsSupport
QuadsSupport
ObliquesMinor

Kovo programs the seated knee raise leg raise on a chair for you and tracks it every session.

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Last reviewed June 2026.