Abs & core
Leg Raise to Toe Touch
A leg raise and a toe touch crunch in one move: raise your straight legs to vertical, crunch up to reach your toes, then lower back out long. Your abs work from both ends on every rep.
- Works
- Core, hip flexors
- Equipment
- A mat
- Load
- Bodyweight
How to do it
- 1Lie on your back with your legs straight and your arms reaching overhead.
- 2Press your lower back into the mat and raise your straight legs until they point at the ceiling.
- 3Crunch up and reach your hands to your toes.
- 4Lower your shoulders and legs back down with control until your heels hover just above the mat, then go again.
Cues
- Legs up first, then reach.
- Lower back stays down as your legs come down.
- Control the way down.
Common mistakes
- Back arching as your legs lower. Stop your legs higher, or bend your knees a little, until your back stays flat.
- Swinging up with momentum. Lift your legs, then crunch, smooth and controlled, not one big swing.
- Dropping flat between reps. Keep your heels just off the mat at the bottom so your abs stay on.
Easier
Bend your knees as you lift, keep your arms by your sides, or rest your feet on the floor between reps.
Harder
Squeeze a yoga block or a light dumbbell between your feet, or pause for 1 second at the top.
Try it: 3 rounds of 30 seconds on and 15 seconds off.
Are leg raises good for lower abs?
Leg raises are a classic lower ab move. Your abs work as one long muscle, but lifting your legs puts more of the challenge low in your belly. The toe touch adds a crunch on top.
