Standing Leg Lifts (Frankensteins)

Let others know!

Standing leg lifts for abs

Standing leg lifts (also known as standing straight leg raises or “Frankensteins”) is a dynamic standing ab exercise targeting lower abs. This exercise helps to improve the balance and contributes in a development of a functional body.

Use this exercise as a more real life applicable alternative to a regular straight leg raise exercise done on the floor. Standing ab exercises train more muscles at the time therefore burn more calories.

Standing leg lifts ab exercise suits everyone looking for a toned and functional midsection. It’s especially worthwhile for football players, fighters, dancers and other athletes that use their core vastly.

STANDING LEG LIFTS VIDEO DEMONSTRATION

BENEFITS:

  • No strain on the neck and lower back.
  • Burns more calories than lying straight leg raise.
  • No equipment needed. You can do it anytime, anywhere.
  • Improves stability.
  • Supports the development of the functional body.

HOW TO DO STANDING LEG LIFTS

Standing leg lifts - step 1

First get in a starting “Frankensteins” position. To do so stand tall with your feet shoulder-width apart or closer. Raise your arms straight in front of you at shoulder height. Engage your abs.

Standing leg lifts - step 2

To begin the exercise lift one leg up as high as possible. Exhale. Keep the leg straight. Then lower the leg back down. Inhale. Now do the same with the other leg. Keep alternating legs until you reach a desired number of repetitions or until your form starts to suffer.

Ideally you want to bring your toes to your fingers. But if you can’t, then raise your leg as high as you can and work your way up in the course of time. Arms stay stationary throughout the whole exercise.

TIPS:

  • To engage more lower abs, avoid creating a momentum. Perform slow and controlled movements. When you raise the leg, try to pause for a half second before returning it back down.
  • Bring the leg up diagonally to meet the opposite arm to train obliques as well.
  • If you find hard time to keep the balance, stand next to a chair or other support. Hold on with one hand while you perform all repetitions with one leg. Then switch sides.
  • Use ankle weights or elastic bands to increase the difficulty of the exercise.
About Matiss Bartulis

Sweets and pizza addict. Online and real-life fitness coach. Author of the "From Fat To Six Pack" E-mail training course. You can find him on Google+ and Facebook.