10 Best Seated Leg Raise Alternatives for Core Strength

Ranked Seated Leg Raise Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Seated Leg Raise on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page. Harder versions are tagged as progressions and kept out of the top spot even when they score higher.

1. Best match

   Play demonstration

   1. Curl-up

   82% match

   • Abs
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   Pick this when you want an easier version that still works the abs.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground.
   2. Place your hands behind your head with your elbows pointing outwards.
   3. Engaging your abs, slowly lift your upper body off the ground, curling forward until your torso is at a 45-degree angle.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your upper body back down to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Seated Leg Raise
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Seated Leg Raise
   • Body position: lying on your back, not seated
2. Play demonstration

   Progression

   2. Captains Chair Straight Leg Raise

   77% match

   • Abs
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   Pick this when you want a harder version that still works the abs.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on the captain's chair with your back against the backrest and your forearms resting on the arm pads.
   2. Keep your upper body stable and your back straight.
   3. Engage your abs and lift your legs up in front of you, keeping them straight.
   4. Continue lifting until your legs are parallel to the ground or as high as you can comfortably go.
   5. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your legs back down to the starting position.
   6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: raise, the same as the Seated Leg Raise
   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Seated Leg Raise
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Seated Leg Raise
   • Body position: hanging, not seated
3. 

   3. Seated Flat Bench Leg Pull-in

   73% match

   • Abs
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

   Pick this when you want to work the abs with more balance to manage.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on a bench with the legs stretched out in front of you slightly below parallel and your arms holding on to the sides of the bench. Your torso should be leaning backwards around a 45-degree angle from the bench. This will be your starting position.
   2. Bring the knees in toward you as you move your torso closer to them at the same time. Breathe out as you perform this movement.
   3. After a second pause, go back to the starting position as you inhale.
   4. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Seated Leg Raise
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Seated Leg Raise
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Seated Leg Raise
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Seated Leg Raise
4. 

   4. Seated Leg Tucks

   73% match

   • Abs
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on a bench with the legs stretched out in front of you slightly below parallel and your arms holding on to the sides of the bench. Your torso should be leaning backwards around a 45-degree angle from the bench. This will be your starting position.
   2. Bring the knees in toward you as you move your torso closer to them at the same time. Breathe out as you perform this movement.
   3. After a second pause, go back to the starting position as you inhale.
   4. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Seated Leg Raise
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Seated Leg Raise
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Seated Leg Raise
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Seated Leg Raise
5. Play demonstration

   5. Leg Pull In Flat Bench

   70% match

   • Abs
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

   It uses the same equipment and still works the abs.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on a flat bench with your legs extended straight out in front of you.
   2. Place your hands on the bench beside your hips for support.
   3. Engage your abs and lift your legs off the ground, bringing your knees towards your chest.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your legs back down to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Seated Leg Raise
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Seated Leg Raise
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Seated Leg Raise
6. Play demonstration

   6. Spine Twist

   68% match

   • Abs
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   Pick this when you want an easier version that works the abs one side at a time.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on the ground with your legs extended in front of you.
   2. Bend your knees and place your feet flat on the ground, hip-width apart.
   3. Place your hands behind your head with your elbows pointing outwards.
   4. Engage your abs and slowly twist your torso to the right, bringing your right elbow towards your left knee.
   5. Pause for a moment at the end of the twist, then slowly return to the starting position.
   6. Repeat the twist to the left side, bringing your left elbow towards your right knee.
   7. Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps on each side, and add reps before you add load.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Seated Leg Raise
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Seated Leg Raise
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Seated Leg Raise
7. Play demonstration

   7. Flexion Leg Sit Up (Bent Knee)

   67% match

   • Abs
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground.
   2. Place your hands behind your head with your elbows pointing outwards.
   3. Engaging your abs, slowly lift your upper body off the ground, curling forward until your torso is at a 45-degree angle.
   4. At the same time, lift your legs off the ground, bending your knees and bringing them towards your chest.
   5. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your upper body and legs back down to the starting position.
   6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Seated Leg Raise
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Seated Leg Raise
   • Body position: lying on your back, not seated
8. Play demonstration

   8. Flexion Leg Sit Up (Straight Arm)

   67% match

   • Abs
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Lie flat on your back with your legs extended and arms straight above your head.
   2. Engaging your abs, lift your upper body off the ground while simultaneously lifting your legs towards your chest.
   3. Reach your hands towards your toes as you lift your upper body and legs.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your upper body and legs back down to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Seated Leg Raise
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Seated Leg Raise
   • Body position: lying on your back, not seated
9. Play demonstration

   9. Arms Overhead Full Sit-up

   66% match

   • Abs
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground.
   2. Extend your arms overhead, keeping them straight.
   3. Engaging your abs, slowly lift your upper body off the ground, curling forward until your torso is upright.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your upper body back down to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Seated Leg Raise
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Seated Leg Raise
   • Body position: lying on your back, not seated
10. 

    10. Frog Sit-ups

    66% match

    • Abs
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Isolation

    How to perform this exercise

    1. Lie with your back flat on the floor (or exercise mat) and your legs extended in front of you.
    2. Now bend at the knees and place your outer thighs by the floor (or mat) as you make the soles of your feet touch each other.
    3. Now try pushing both soles and bringing them up as near you as possible while you keep the outer thighs on the floor (or at least almost touching it). Tip: In this position your legs should create a diamond shape.
    4. Now, cross your arms in front of you by touching the opposite shoulders. This will be your starting position.
    5. As you exhale flatten your lower back to the floor while curling the torso upwards. Tip: This will be like performing the first 1/4 movement of a sit up. Hold at the top position for a second.
    6. As you inhale, slowly lower back to the starting position.
    7. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches

    • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Seated Leg Raise
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Seated Leg Raise
    • Body position: lying on your back, not seated