Hip Flexor Exercises: Technique and Training Guide

Explore hip flexor exercises with practical guidance on technique, resistance and control for leg raises, knee raises and cable work.

The hip flexors are the muscles at the front of the hip that bring the thigh toward the torso. In fitness, they can be trained with movements such as leg raises, knee raises, and cable or resistance-band exercises.

About the hip flexors

This muscle group contributes to hip flexion, such as lifting a knee or bringing the leg forward. The training demand varies by exercise: hanging leg raises require substantial trunk control, while cable and band variations change the direction and feel of resistance. A stable setup and controlled tempo support sound technique.

Practical guidance

Keep the pelvis as steady as possible and avoid swinging during leg or knee raises. Select a resistance that allows you to control the full range of motion. Stop if you feel sharp pain, and modify the exercise if your mobility is limited.

Weighted Ab Crunch

The Weighted Ab Crunch is a powerful exercise that targets strengthening your abdominal muscles. By adding extra weight, you increase the intensity, which leads to greater strength and definition in your core. Execution Lie on your back on a mat, with your knees bent and your feet flat on the fl

Weighted Decline Sit-Up (Arms Straight)

The Sit-Up is a 'classic' abdominal exercise (see technique). The exercise contains two important elements: rounding the back and bringing the upper body upward. The rectus abdominis (the basis of the 'six-pack') draws the sternum toward the pelvis by rounding the back. The rectus femoris brings the

Weighted Hanging Leg-Hip Raise

The Hanging Leg-Hip Raise is an exercise focused on the abdominal muscles, although some muscles in the thighs and pelvis also actively contribute. As the name indicates, the legs are raised first. This primarily involves two muscles in the thighs and muscles in the pelvis. The exercise is then inte

Weighted Sit-Up

The Sit-Up is a 'classic' abdominal exercise (see technique). The exercise contains two important elements: rounding the back and raising the upper body. The rectus abdominis (the basis of the 'six-pack') pulls the sternum toward the pelvis by rounding the back. The rectus femoris brings the thigh t

Weighted Twisting Sit-Up

The Sit-Up is a ‘classic’ exercise for the abdominal muscles (see technique). The exercise contains two important elements: rounding the back and raising the upper body. This ‘twisting variation’ adds a third element: rotating the torso. The rectus abdominis (the basis of the ‘six-pack’) draws the s