Hanging Leg Raise
An advanced isolation strength exercise that works the abs, needing no equipment.
Starting position
End position
How to Do Hanging Leg Raise
- Hang from a chin-up bar with both arms extended at arms length in top of you using either a wide grip or a medium grip. The legs should be straight down with the pelvis rolled slightly backwards. This will be your starting position.
- Raise your legs until the torso makes a 90-degree angle with the legs. Exhale as you perform this movement and hold the contraction for a second or so.
- Go back slowly to the starting position as you breathe in.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Muscles Worked
Alternatives to Hanging Leg Raise
10 movements that train the same primary muscle, closest substitutes first — same kind of training, then variations of the movement itself, then a similar difficulty.
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1
Hanging Pike
An advanced compound strength exercise that works the abs, needing no equipment.
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2
Knee/Hip Raise On Parallel Bars
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the abs.
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3
Smith Machine Hip Raise
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the abs, using a machine.
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4
Barbell Ab Rollout - On Knees
An advanced compound strength exercise that works the abs, using a barbell.
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5
Bent Press
An advanced compound strength exercise that works the abs, using a kettlebell.
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6
Bent-Knee Hip Raise
A beginner compound strength exercise that works the abs, needing no equipment.
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7
Flat Bench Leg Pull-In
A beginner compound strength exercise that works the abs, needing no equipment.
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8
Leg Pull-In
A beginner compound strength exercise that works the abs, needing no equipment.
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9
Press Sit-Up
An advanced compound strength exercise that works the abs, using a barbell.
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10
Seated Flat Bench Leg Pull-In
A beginner compound strength exercise that works the abs, needing no equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What muscles do hanging leg raise work?
Hanging Leg Raise primarily works the abs.
What equipment do I need for hanging leg raise?
None. Hanging Leg Raise is a bodyweight movement you can do anywhere you have floor space.
Hanging Leg Raise: is it suitable for beginners?
Hanging Leg Raise is rated advanced. High skill or high load. Worth earning rather than starting with.
What can I do instead of hanging leg raise?
Hanging Pike, Knee/Hip Raise On Parallel Bars, Smith Machine Hip Raise train the same primary muscles and are listed with 7 more alternatives above.
Can Fitnit count my hanging leg raise reps automatically?
Not automatically yet. Fitnit's AI rep counting covers push-ups, squats, dumbbell curls, crunches and pull-ups today; hanging leg raise can be logged manually in the app, and tracked movements are added over time.
Photographs and step-by-step instructions from free-exercise-db, a public-domain exercise dataset. Muscle mapping and alternatives by Fitnit.
Track Your Hanging Leg Raise with AI
Fitnit automatically tracks push-ups, crunches, squats, pull-ups, and curls with advanced body tracking technology — and you can manually input any other workout too. Start free — Pro is $8.99/month.