Hanging Leg Raise

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The crunch is the most popular ab exercise for one reason: Anyone can do it.  Enter the hanging leg raise. Consider this movement the gold standard for all ab exercises, just as the pullup is for your back. It works like this: As you hang from a bar, you curl your hips and knees up to your chest. Sound hard? That’s because it is. Proper execution requires strength, endurance, and flexibility (of your abs, back, and hips), and a strong grip. Which is why few men can do even one with perfect form.

But don’t let that discourage you. We’ve created a five-step plan to eliminate the weaknesses that prevent men from benefiting from the world’s greatest ab exercise. And here’s a secret: The process of building the strength and flexibility to perform this movement is nearly as effective as the exercise itself. Follow along and you’ll soon realize why the guys with the best abs in the gym always seem to be the only ones doing the hanging leg raise
See how many repetitions of the hanging leg raise you can do with perfect form. The most common mistakes are using momentum. Try staring straight ahead at all times–it will help your body stay upright; Simply bending your knees and lifting your legs up. Instead, imagine scooping your hips up and forward; Leaning backward. Your shoulders should remain in place or round forward slightly.

Grab a chinup bar with an overhand grip, your hands slightly wider than shoulder width. Simultaneously bend your knees, raise your hips, and curl your lower back underneath you as you lift your thighs toward your chest. Pause for a second when the fronts of your thighs reach your chest, then lower your legs and repeat.

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