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StrengthAdvanced
Hanging Leg Raise
Equipment
Bodyweight
Target Muscles
Abdominals
Category
Strength
Muscle Group
Abs
Force Type
pull
Mechanics
isolation
Target Muscles
Abdominals
Breathing
Exhale as you pull the weight toward your body, inhale as you extend back to the start.
Common Mistakes
- •Rushing through reps instead of using a controlled tempo
- •Holding your breath during the movement
- •Not using the full range of motion
Safety Tips
- •Start with a weight you can control, not your one-rep max
- •Maintain proper posture and alignment throughout the movement
- •Use a spotter or safety racks when lifting heavy
Variations
- •Try a deficit version to increase the range of motion
- •Add a pause at the bottom to eliminate momentum
- •Increase intensity by elevating your feet
Alternatives
- •Choose another exercise that targets the abdominals
Progressions
- •Increase the weight by 5-10% once you can complete all reps with clean form
- •Slow down the eccentric (lowering) phase to 3-4 seconds
- •Reduce rest periods between sets to increase workout density
- •Add an extra set or rep each week (progressive overload)
Regressions
- •Use an assisted version (bands, partner, or machine) to reduce load
- •Drop to a moderate weight and focus on the mind-muscle connection
- •Reduce the weight to focus strictly on technique
- •Decrease the range of motion if you feel joint discomfort
- •Increase rest intervals to ensure full recovery between sets
Beginner Tips
- •Even advanced lifters benefit from revisiting the basics — check your form with light weight periodically
- •Use micro-loading (0.5-1 kg increments) to continue making progress
Pro Tips
- Stay tight throughout — brace your core before every single rep
- Focus on the mind-muscle connection — consciously squeeze the target muscle at the peak of each rep
- Use a 2-1-3 tempo (2 seconds up, 1 second pause, 3 seconds down) to maximise time under tension
- Periodically deload (reduce volume by 40-60% for a week) to manage fatigue and prevent plateaus