Incline Leg Hip Raise (leg Straight)
Incline Leg Hip Raise (leg Straight) turns pure bodyweight leverage into a trunk that resists rather than folds — a safe first rung on the ladder.
How to do Incline Leg Hip Raise (leg Straight)
- Lie on an incline bench with your back flat against the bench and your legs extended straight out in front of you.
- Place your hands on the sides of the bench for support.
- Engaging your abs, lift your legs off the bench, raising them as high as you can while keeping them straight.
- Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your legs back down to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Incline Leg Hip Raise (leg Straight) Sets and Reps by Goal
Strength
3 sets of 6-8 hard reps with 2 minutes of rest. Add reps first, then slow the lowering phase.
Hypertrophy
3 sets of 10-15 reps with 60-90 seconds of rest. Change leverage or elevation before you add load.
Endurance
2-3 sets of 20-25 reps with 45 seconds of rest. Hold the end position for a beat once reps come easily.
Common Incline Leg Hip Raise (leg Straight) Mistakes
Rushing reps so gravity does most of the work
Take two to three counts on the lowering phase of every rep.
Holding your breath through the hardest part of the rep
Exhale as you brace so the ribs stay down and pressure stays controlled.
Chasing load before the pattern is grooved
Spend the first few weeks making every rep look the same.
Easier and Harder Than Incline Leg Hip Raise (leg Straight)
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Incline Leg Hip Raise (leg Straight) — Frequently Asked Questions
How do you do the Incline Leg Hip Raise (leg Straight)?
Lie on an incline bench with your back flat against the bench and your legs extended straight out in front of you. Place your hands on the sides of the bench for support. Engaging your abs, lift your legs off the bench, raising them as high as you can while keeping them straight. Use your bodyweight only and keep the movement controlled through the full range. The animated GIF above shows the complete rep at normal speed.
What muscles does the Incline Leg Hip Raise (leg Straight) work?
The Incline Leg Hip Raise (leg Straight) primarily targets the abs. It is classified as a core exercise and is performed with your bodyweight only.
How many sets and reps of the Incline Leg Hip Raise (leg Straight) should I do?
For muscle growth: 3 sets of 10-15 reps with 60-90 seconds of rest. Change leverage or elevation before you add load. Adjust the load rather than the rep target if form breaks down before the final rep.
Is the Incline Leg Hip Raise (leg Straight) good for beginners?
Yes. The Incline Leg Hip Raise (leg Straight) is a beginner-level movement, so it is a reasonable place to start. Keep the load light enough that you can control every rep and stop 2-3 reps short of failure while you learn the pattern.
What can I do instead of the Incline Leg Hip Raise (leg Straight)?
Try the Cable Crunch, Band Bicycle Crunch or the Lever Seated Leg Raise Crunch. Each trains the abs with a similar movement pattern, so you can swap based on the equipment you have available.
