No, not sit-ups — strength and conditioning coach says ‘this is the best abs exercise you're probably not doing'
Coach Daniel Herman knows a thing or two about training strong core muscles, and he's got something better for you than sit-ups, crunches or Russian twists. You might already know it, but he's got a trick up his sleeve to make this abs exercise even more effective.
'After years of coaching athletes, clients, and everyday lifters, there's one abdominal movement I consistently return to — the hanging leg raise,' says Herman.'It's an advanced variation of a common exercise, but it's often done incorrectly or overlooked entirely.
'When performed with proper control and technique, it offers unmatched benefits for both aesthetics and function.'
Here's how to do it — and one trick that will elevate this bodyweight exercise even more.
What is the hanging leg raise exercise?
When it comes to core training, most people stick to what they know, like planks or crunches, but this is a move well worth investing in.
'The standard hanging leg raise involves lifting your legs while hanging from a bar,' Herman explains. 'But the key difference here is the posterior pelvic tilt at the top of the movement — a subtle but powerful action where you tuck your pelvis upward, rounding the lower back slightly.
'This small shift dramatically increases abdominal activation by engaging the lower fibers of the rectus abdominis and eliminating the momentum that often makes the movement less effective.'
Why it works
Herman tells us that most people don't realize the lower abdominals are notoriously difficult to target effectively. 'Movements that seem like they train them — like leg lifts or even planks — often recruit the hip flexors more than the abs,' he says.
'But when you incorporate the pelvic tilt, you're no longer relying on swinging or momentum. Instead, you're forcing your abs to contract through their full range of motion. That's where the magic happens.'
Benefits include improved lower abdominal activation, strengthening the deep core stabilizers that support your spine and pelvis, better control and coordination during compound lifts, enhanced mobility and a reduced risk of hip flexor dominance or lower back pain.
These benefits can translate directly to athletic movements like jumping, sprinting and changing direction.
'In my experience as a strength and conditioning coach, very few core exercises offer as much reward as this one, particularly when it comes to functional strength and body control.
'Whether you're a powerlifter, a field sport athlete, or simply someone trying to build a solid midsection, this movement delivers. It's also scalable — beginners can bend their knees and work their way up, while advanced athletes can add resistance or perform tempo-based reps.'
How to do hanging leg raises
Herman recommends prioritizing form over volume to get the most out of it.
Beginners: Start with bent-knee raises (knees to chest) and focus on the pelvic tilt at the top by posteriorly rotating the pelvis and rounding the lower back slightly. Perform 3 sets of 6–8 controlled reps, resting 60–90 seconds between
Intermediate to advanced: Use straight legs and add tempo so that you lift for 2-3 seconds, pause, then lower for 3 seconds. Add ankle weights or resistance bands to increase intensity. Program 2-3 times per week at the end of your workout or as part of a core routine.
Herman recommends pairing the hanging leg raise with pelvic tilt with anti-rotation work (like the Pallof press) for a 'balanced, bulletproof core routine.'
'Not all abdominal exercises are created equal, and sometimes the lesser-known variations provide the biggest returns,' Herman explains. 'The hanging leg raise with posterior pelvic tilt isn't flashy, but it's brutally effective. Train it consistently, with intention and precision, and you'll not only see changes in your midsection, you'll feel stronger, move better and lift heavier across the board.'
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