![\"Daniel](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/CUg55UtHF9izVcedmBeyMN.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCoach Daniel Herman knows a thing or two about training strong core muscles, and he\u2019s got something better for you than sit-ups, crunches or Russian twists. You might already know it, but he\u2019s got a trick up his sleeve to make this abs exercise even more effective.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter years of coaching athletes, clients, and everyday lifters, there’s one abdominal movement I consistently return to \u2014 the hanging leg raise,\u201d says Herman.\u201dIt\u2019s an advanced variation of a common exercise, but it\u2019s often done incorrectly or overlooked entirely.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen performed with proper control and technique, it offers unmatched benefits for both aesthetics and function.\u201d<\/p>\n
You may like<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s how to do it \u2014 and one trick that will elevate this bodyweight exercise even more.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Daniel is a NASM-qualified coach who has worked with a range of clients from athletes to the everyday gym-goer. He is also the founder of Bio Synergy<\/a>. <\/p>\n What is the hanging leg raise exercise?<\/p>\n (Image credit: Shutterstock)<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThe standard hanging leg raise<\/a> involves lifting your legs while hanging from a bar,\u201d Herman explains. \u201cBut the key difference here is the posterior pelvic tilt at the top of the movement \u2014 a subtle but powerful action where you tuck your pelvis upward, rounding the lower back slightly.<\/p>\n \u201cThis 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Why it works<\/p>\n Herman tells us that most people don’t realize the lower abdominals are notoriously difficult to target effectively. \u201cMovements that seem like they train them \u2014 like leg lifts<\/a> or even planks<\/a> \u2014 often recruit the hip flexors more than the abs,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n \u201cBut 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\u2019s where the magic happens.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n These benefits can translate directly to athletic movements like jumping, sprinting and changing direction.<\/p>\n \u201cIn 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWhether you\u2019re a powerlifter, a field sport athlete, or simply someone trying to build a solid midsection, this movement delivers. It\u2019s also scalable \u2014 beginners can bend their knees and work their way up, while advanced athletes can add resistance or perform tempo-based reps.\u201d<\/p>\n How to do hanging leg raises<\/p>\n (Image credit: Shutterstock)<\/p>\n Herman recommends prioritizing form over volume to get the most out of it.<\/p>\n 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\u20138 controlled reps, resting 60\u201390 seconds betweenIntermediate 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.<\/p>\n Herman recommends pairing the hanging leg raise with pelvic tilt with anti-rotation work (like the Pallof press<\/a>) for a \u201cbalanced, bulletproof core routine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot all abdominal exercises are created equal, and sometimes the lesser-known variations provide the biggest returns,\u201d Herman explains. \u201cThe hanging leg raise with posterior pelvic tilt isn\u2019t flashy, but it\u2019s brutally effective. Train it consistently, with intention and precision, and you\u2019ll not only see changes in your midsection, you\u2019ll feel stronger, move better and lift heavier across the board.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"an](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/KMcSKaxmGmAQootSg8jcY4.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Man](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/fEiYxZ4R9yzqCvawC6H5jS.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
![\"Arrow\"](\"https:\/\/search-api.fie.futurecdn.net\/img\/misc\/chevron-left.svg\" "\\"Arrow\\""){kind=icon}
<\/p>\n![\"Arrow\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/arrow_down.png\" "\\"Arrow\\""){kind=icon}
<\/p>\n