Waist Exercise · Body Weight

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Flexion Leg Sit Up (straight Arm)

Category

Waist

Equipment

Body Weight

Target

Abs

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Keeping the arms straight and extended overhead adds a longer lever arm to the sit-up, making the hip flexors and abs work harder just to bring the torso up. It's a more demanding version of a standard sit-up, and like all sit-ups, the hip flexors tend to take on more of the load than most lifters expect from an ab exercise.

How to Do the Flexion Leg Sit Up (straight Arm)

1. Lie on your back with your legs straight out and your arms extended overhead.
2. Using your abs, lift your torso off the floor while bringing your legs up toward your chest at the same time.
3. Extend your hands toward your toes as your upper body and legs rise.
4. Pause briefly at the top, then lower your torso and legs back down together.
5. Repeat for your desired repetitions, keeping constant tension on the working muscle throughout.

Muscles Worked

The Flexion Leg Sit Up (straight Arm) primarily targets the Abs, with Hip Flexors as the primary synergist muscle group, along with the Quadriceps.

More Waist Exercises

3/4 Sit-Up Body Weight · Abs 45° Side Bend Body Weight · Abs Air Bike Body Weight · Abs Alternate Heel Touchers Body Weight · Abs Arm Slingers Hanging Bent Knee Legs Body Weight · Abs Arm Slingers Hanging Straight Legs Body Weight · Abs

More Abs Exercises

Arms Overhead Full Sit-Up (male) Body Weight · Abs Assisted Hanging Knee Raise Assisted · Abs Assisted Hanging Knee Raise With Throw Down Assisted · Abs Assisted Lying Leg Raise With Lateral Throw Down Assisted · Abs Assisted Lying Leg Raise With Throw Down Assisted · Abs Assisted Motion Russian Twist Medicine Ball · Abs

Equipment Alternatives

Don't have body weight? These target the same abs with different equipment.

Assisted Hanging Knee Raise Assisted · Abs Assisted Motion Russian Twist Medicine Ball · Abs Band Alternating V-Up Band · Abs Barbell Press Sit-Up Barbell · Abs

FAQ

What muscles does the Flexion Leg Sit Up (straight Arm) work?

The Flexion Leg Sit Up (straight Arm) primarily targets the abs, with the hip flexors and quadriceps assisting.

What equipment do I need for the Flexion Leg Sit Up (straight Arm)?

The Flexion Leg Sit Up (straight Arm) is done with no equipment — just body weight.

What's a good alternative to the Flexion Leg Sit Up (straight Arm)?

If you don't have access to the space or setup it needs, the Assisted Hanging Knee Raise targets the same abs using assisted instead.