Leg Raises on Decline Bench

Set up a decline bench at a 30-45 degree incline and lie down with your legs extended, ankles hooked under the leg brace.

• Engage your core and keep your back pressed into the bench throughout the exercise. Avoid arching your back.

• With control, raise your legs up until they are perpendicular to the floor, keeping legs straight and together. Focus on using your lower abs to lift the legs rather than momentum.

• Pause briefly at the top position, squeezing your abs. Make sure you aren't straining your neck looking at your feet.

• Slowly lower your legs back down toward the bench, but don't let your feet touch. Keep tension on the abs.

• Make sure you are lifting from your core rather than pulling from your hip flexors or straining your back. Keep legs straight.

• For added difficulty, you can hold light weights between your feet or ankles. Or do single leg lowers, lowering one leg at a time.