Knee Raises (Hanging Grip)
Performance Description
- Find a bar, such as a pull-up bar, that you can safely hang from, and stand beneath it.
- Jump, grasp the bar with an overhand grip (i.e. thumbs facing one another), slowly lower yourself to a dead hang (without allowing your legs to swing behind you), and bend at the knees so that your lower leg forms a 90 degree angle with your upper leg. If jumping is not possible, find an adequate step/stool so that you can reach the bar.
- Slowly bring your knees to your sternum (chest), rounding your back--by rotating the pubis--as you do so as you achieve optimal upper abdominal recruitment, and exhale throughout the movement. Once full abdominal contraction is achieved, hold this position briefly (about 1-2 seconds per repetition). Note: It's okay if you cannot bring your knees all the way to your sternum; just do the best you can.
- Slowly bring your knees back down to the starting position, inhaling throughout the movement.
- Repeat steps 3-4 for as many repetitions as are desired.
Primary Muscle(s)
Abdominals (Rectus Abdominis)
Abdominals (Rectus Abdominis: Upper Aspect)
Secondary Muscle(s)
Abdominals (Rectus Abdominis: Lower Aspect)
Hips (Iliopsoas: Iliacus)
Hips (Iliopsoas: Psoas Major)
Hips (Iliopsoas: Psoas Minor)
Hips (Tensor Fascia Lata)
Obliques (External Oblique)
Thighs (Quadriceps: Rectus Femoris)
Tertiary Muscle(s)
Forearms (Flexor: Carpi Radialis)
Forearms (Flexor: Carpi Ulnaris)
Forearms (Flexor: Digitorum Profundus)
Forearms (Flexor: Digitorum Superficialis)
Forearms (Flexor: Pollicis Longus)
Lower Back (Spinal Erectors: Erector Spinae)
Further Clarification
Many exercises involving the abdominal core (particularly the rectus abdominis) call for rounding the back. Indeed, this is likely contrary to advice that you have heard for weight lifting in general, but, in the case of exercises that focus on the aforementioned muscle group, rounding the back is recommended to prevent injury.
To place focus on the abdominal core simply flutter your knees up and down, being sure to keep them above horizontal.
Things To Look Out For
Do not allow your legs to move too far behind your body because this increases the chances of swinging, as well as vertebral compression (i.e. pinching your lower back).
Level
Intermediate
Exercise Position(s)
Hanging
Exercise Variations
Considered An Exercise In The Following Categories