Scissor raise

Muscles worked: Abs, Hip flexors
AbsHip flexors
🔧 no equipment 🔁 reps Difficulty:

Muscle outlines from Body Muscles by Ivan Vulović, Apache 2.0 — regrouped and recoloured for Muscle Train.

How to perform

Lie on your back, hands under glutes (for support) or beside you, palms down. Press lower back firmly into the mat (posterior pelvic tilt – essential). Lift legs 4-6 inches, straight with a slight bend in the knees to relieve hamstring pressure. Maintain lower back contact. Scissor legs: raise one leg to 45 degrees while lowering the other 2-3 inches above the floor. Keep legs extended, toes pointed. Alternate smoothly, one full switch per rep. Exhale as the top leg rises, inhale as it lowers. Avoid breath-holding and heel contact.

Muscles Worked

Rectus abdominis (lower emphasis)hip flexors (iliopsoas)
Secondary: Obliques, transverse abdominis, quadriceps, hip adductors

Tips

Maintain lower back contact with the mat. Hands stay under glutes or beside you – avoid head placement. Control the descent (2-second count); reduce leg height if needed. Point toes to increase abdominal load; flex feet for regression. Prioritize slow, controlled movements to engage abs, not hip flexors.

Similar exercises

Scissor kick Abs, Hip flexors · 🔧 no equipment 2/10 Hanging scissor kicks Abs · 🔧 pull up bar 3/10 Resistance band scissor kick Hip flexors, Abs · 🔧 Resistance band 2/10
Feedback

Found a bug or have an idea?

MuscleTrain is actively being built. If something looks broken, or you have a suggestion, let us know — it really helps shape the app.