Core · Bodyweight
Twisted Leg Raise
How to do the twisted leg raise, 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
- Rotation
- Mechanic
- Isolation
How to do it
Lie flat on your back with legs extended and hands by your sides. Raise both straight legs toward the ceiling, then lower them down and across to one side with a slight twist of the hips, alternating sides each rep.
- 1Feel your lower abs and obliques control the legs
- 2Keep your lower back pressed into the floor
- 3Twist from the waist, not by swinging the legs
Common mistakes
- Do not let the lower back arch off the floor
- Avoid using momentum to throw the legs over
- Do not strain the neck; keep your head down
Muscles worked
The twisted leg raise mainly works the lower abs, obliques, and hip flexors, with the upper abs and glutes assisting.
- Lower AbsPrimary
- ObliquesPrimary
- Hip FlexorsPrimary
- Upper AbsSupport
- GlutesSupport
- ForearmsMinor
- QuadsMinor
Kovo programs the twisted 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.