Skip to main content
Back
Alternate Lying Floor Leg Raise
Add to Workout

Alternate Lying Floor Leg Raise

Build

How to Perform

  1. Lie flat on your back with your legs extended straight and your arms at your sides, palms facing down for stability.
  2. Press your lower back firmly into the floor by engaging your core muscles and slightly tilting your pelvis.
  3. Keeping your legs straight, exhale as you slowly raise your right leg until it forms approximately a 45-90 degree angle with the floor.
  4. Maintain your left leg in contact with the floor while keeping it straight, with toes pointed slightly upward.
  5. Inhale as you lower your right leg back to the starting position in a controlled manner without letting it fully rest on the floor.
  6. Immediately proceed to raise your left leg using the same controlled movement while keeping your right leg hovering slightly above the floor.
  7. Continue alternating legs in a fluid motion, focusing on using your lower abdominal muscles rather than momentum to lift each leg.
  8. Maintain a neutral spine position throughout the exercise, avoiding any arching or pressing of your lower back off the floor.

Important information

  • Keep your head and shoulders relaxed on the floor throughout the entire movement to avoid neck strain.
  • If you experience lower back discomfort, try bending your knees slightly or placing your hands under your lower back for support.
  • For increased difficulty, slow down the movement or hold each leg at the top position for 1-2 seconds before lowering.
  • Focus on quality over quantity, ensuring proper form with each repetition rather than rushing through the exercise.

Exercise Details

Primary Muscles

Abs

Muscle Groups

Ab exercises

Mechanic

Isolation

Built for progress

Take the guesswork out of training

Create personalized AI-powered workout plans that evolve with you. Train smarter, track every rep and keep moving forward, one workout at a time.

Be among the first to join!
GrabGains workout plans

The Alternate Lying Floor Leg Raise offers an effective intermediate-level challenge for anyone looking to target their abs and strengthen their core foundation. This versatile exercise has earned its place in various training protocols from high-intensity interval training to bodybuilding routines and even recovery programs, making it a valuable addition to virtually any fitness regimen.

What sets this movement apart is its ability to engage the entire abdominal region while minimizing stress on the lower back when performed correctly. The alternating pattern creates a dynamic stability challenge that forces your core to work continuously throughout the exercise, recruiting not just the visible rectus abdominis (your "six-pack" muscles) but also the deeper transverse abdominis and obliques.

For intermediate fitness enthusiasts, this exercise provides that sweet spot between basic movements and advanced variations. You'll experience a targeted burn that indicates deep muscle activation within the abdominal wall. Many people appreciate that this movement can be performed anywhere with zero equipment, making it accessible for home workouts, travel, or when gym access isn't available.

The alternating pattern of the leg raises introduces an element of rotational stability, which better mimics real-world movement patterns compared to traditional bilateral leg raises. This translational benefit means you're not just building aesthetic abs but functional core strength that supports everyday activities and athletic performance.

Regular inclusion of Alternate Lying Floor Leg Raises in your routine can lead to improved posture, enhanced core endurance, and better overall trunk stability. These benefits extend beyond the gym, potentially reducing risk of lower back issues and improving performance in other exercises that require core stability as a foundation.

As with any effective core exercise, consistency is key to seeing results. When incorporated into a well-rounded fitness program alongside proper nutrition, this movement can contribute significantly to both your core strength goals and overall physical development.

FAQ - Alternate Lying Floor Leg Raise

What muscles does the Alternate Lying Floor Leg Raise target?

This exercise primarily targets the rectus abdominis (six-pack muscles) and the lower abs, while also engaging the hip flexors, obliques, and transverse abdominis for stability. The alternating pattern specifically increases oblique activation compared to standard leg raises.

What are the most common form mistakes with this exercise?

The three most critical errors are allowing the hips to sag (losing the pike position), shoulders rolling forward (compromising joint safety), and excessive body wobbling due to poor core bracing. Focus on maintaining a straight line from hands to hips, keeping shoulders packed away from ears, and engaging your core throughout the movement.

How can I modify this exercise if it's too difficult?

For an easier version, bend your knees to reduce the lever length and place your hands under your lower back for support. If you need more challenge, add a small pause at the top of each leg lift or wear ankle weights to increase resistance.

How often should I include Alternate Lying Floor Leg Raises in my routine?

Include this exercise 2-3 times weekly with at least 24 hours of recovery between sessions for optimal results. You can perform 2-4 sets of 10-15 repetitions per side, adjusting based on your fitness level and recovery capacity.

Is this exercise safe if I have lower back issues?

This can be safe for many with mild back concerns when performed correctly, as the floor provides support. However, consult a healthcare provider first, and ensure you maintain proper form by keeping your lower back pressed firmly against the floor throughout the movement.

Alternative Exercises

Flutter Kicks

Flutter Kicks

Flutter Kicks are a dynamic and effective intermediate-level exercise that primarily targets the abdominal muscles, making them an excellent addition to your core training routine. These deceptively simple movements engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously, with the primary focus on strengthening and toning the lower abs – an area many find challenging to develop. This versatile exercise can serve multiple purposes in your fitness regimen. As part of a HIIT circuit, Flutter Kicks elevate your heart rate while building muscular endurance. During recovery phases, performing them at a controlled, slower pace helps maintain muscle engagement without excessive strain. They also function brilliantly as a warm-up component, activating the core before more demanding exercises. Flutter Kicks excel at developing core stability and endurance, two crucial elements for both athletic performance and everyday movement. The continuous motion challenges your abdominals to maintain tension throughout the exercise duration, training them to support your spine during more complex movements. Regular practice improves your core's ability to stabilize your body during other exercises and daily activities. What makes Flutter Kicks particularly valuable is their scalability. As your abdominal strength develops, you can increase the difficulty by extending the duration, adjusting your leg position, or incorporating them into more challenging combination movements. This progressive nature helps prevent plateaus in your core development. Beyond the aesthetic benefits of a stronger, more defined midsection, Flutter Kicks contribute to functional fitness by enhancing the connection between your upper and lower body. This improved core strength translates to better posture, reduced risk of lower back pain, and enhanced performance in both athletic endeavors and everyday movements. The exercise exemplifies the principle that effective fitness training should combine intensity with precision for optimal results.

Core
Endurance
HIIT
Recovery
+1
Bodyweight exercises
Push-up plank with alternating arm and leg lifts

Push-up plank with alternating arm and leg lifts

The push-up plank with alternating arm and leg lifts represents one of the most comprehensive core challenges in the fitness world, simultaneously engaging multiple muscle groups while testing your stability and coordination. This advanced movement elevates traditional planking by incorporating dynamic limb movements that force your core to work overtime, particularly targeting your abs and glutes while secondary muscles act as crucial stabilizers. When you incorporate this exercise into your routine, you're essentially performing multiple exercises at once: combining the anti-rotational benefits of planks with the destabilizing effect of limb movement, creating an intense core engagement that static exercises simply can't match. The constant fight against rotation as you lift opposing limbs forces your deep transverse abdominis and obliques to fire continuously, while your glutes activate powerfully to maintain proper hip position throughout the movement. This versatile exercise finds its home across multiple training modalities. HIIT enthusiasts appreciate how it elevates heart rate while building functional strength, CrossFit athletes value its scalability and core-strengthening benefits, and bodybuilders recognize its ability to develop detailed abdominal definition and enhance overall core aesthetics. The beauty lies in its adaptability: the intensity can be modified through tempo changes, hold durations, or by adding resistance bands. What makes this movement truly exceptional is how it enhances core function beyond mere appearance. Your core serves as your body's power center, transferring force between upper and lower body while protecting your spine. By strengthening these connections through complex movements like the push-up plank with alternating limb lifts, you're building a resilient foundation that translates to improved performance across all physical activities, from daily movements to specialized athletic endeavors. For those willing to embrace the challenge, this exercise delivers remarkable returns: not just in core strength and definition, but in total-body stability, improved posture, and enhanced movement efficiency that will serve you well in any fitness pursuit you choose to undertake.

Core
HIIT
Crossfit
+1
Bodyweight exercises
Stability Ball Body Saw

Stability Ball Body Saw

The Stability Ball Body Saw stands as a remarkable core-strengthening exercise that challenges your abdominal muscles and front deltoids simultaneously, making it a perfect addition to any intermediate fitness enthusiast's routine. This dynamic movement builds upon the traditional plank by incorporating an element of instability and controlled motion that intensifies the engagement of your core musculature. When properly executed, the Body Saw creates continuous tension throughout your midsection, particularly targeting the rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, and obliques while your front deltoids work overtime to maintain proper shoulder positioning. The beauty of this exercise lies in its simplicity combined with its effectiveness: you don't need complex equipment or extensive space, just a quality stability ball and determination. Popular in HIIT circuits, Crossfit workouts, and bodybuilding regimens, the Stability Ball Body Saw offers versatility for various training styles. In high-intensity interval training, it serves as an excellent metabolic conditioning element that elevates heart rate while building core strength. Crossfit athletes appreciate its functional carry-over to other movements requiring midline stability, while bodybuilders value its ability to sculpt and define the abdominal wall without adding bulky muscle mass. The exercise's primary benefit comes from the anti-extension component that forces your core to resist arching your lower back as your body moves. This anti-extension training proves particularly valuable for improving posture, enhancing athletic performance, and reducing the risk of lower back injuries in daily activities and sports movements. For those looking to progress their core training beyond basic planks, the Stability Ball Body Saw represents a significant step up in difficulty and effectiveness. The constant muscle tension created throughout the movement pattern stimulates greater muscle fiber recruitment than static holds alone, resulting in more comprehensive core development. As with any progressive core exercise, consistency with this movement will yield noticeable improvements in overall stability, strength, and athletic capability.

Core
HIIT
Crossfit
+1
Stability ball
Dumbbell V-Up

Dumbbell V-Up

The Dumbbell V-Up elevates the classic V-Up exercise by adding external resistance, creating a challenging core movement that effectively targets your abdominal muscles and hip flexors simultaneously. This intermediate-level exercise has become a staple in both HIIT circuits and bodybuilding routines for those looking to develop visible core definition and functional strength. Unlike basic core exercises, the Dumbbell V-Up incorporates weight to increase the demand on your rectus abdominis (the "six-pack" muscles) while also engaging the deeper transverse abdominis for stability. The added resistance from the dumbbell forces your core to work harder against gravity, making each repetition more effective at building strength and muscle tone across your midsection. What makes this exercise particularly valuable is how it trains the coordination between your upper and lower body. Your hip flexors activate powerfully to raise your legs while your abs contract to lift your upper body, creating that distinctive "V" position at the top of the movement. This simultaneous action improves the mind-muscle connection and develops balanced core strength that translates to better performance in everyday activities and sports. For those focused on aesthetics in bodybuilding, the Dumbbell V-Up helps create that coveted abdominal definition by targeting the full length of the rectus abdominis. When incorporated into HIIT workouts, it elevates your heart rate while building core endurance, effectively burning calories while strengthening your midsection, a true multitasking exercise. Many fitness enthusiasts appreciate the Dumbbell V-Up because it can be scaled by adjusting the weight, making it adaptable to different fitness levels despite being classified as intermediate. The exercise delivers an intense abdominal contraction at the top position that you can genuinely feel working, providing that satisfying feedback that signals muscle development is occurring with each challenging repetition.

Core
HIIT
Bodybuilding
Dumbbell