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Barbell Sitted Alternate Leg Raise
A seated alternating leg raise holding a barbell overhead, loading the lower abs and hip flexors while the trunk fights to stay tall under the bar.
AbsBarbellHip flexion
GoLightWeight mediabarbell-sitted-alternate-leg-raise
Demonstration coming soon
Primary
Rectus abdominisHip flexors
Secondary
Anterior deltoidsQuadricepsObliques
Equipment
Barbell
Pattern
Hip flexion
Setup
- 01Sit on the edge of a flat bench with an empty or light bar pressed to arms length overhead.
- 02Grip the bar just wider than the shoulders and stack it over the ears.
- 03Extend both legs forward with heels lightly touching the floor.
- 04Sit tall, brace, and lock the elbows before the legs move.
Execution
- 01Raise one straight leg as high as you can without leaning back.
- 02Lower it under control while the bar stays motionless overhead.
- 03Raise the other leg and continue alternating in a steady rhythm.
- 04Keep breathing shallowly behind the brace throughout the set.
Checkpoints
- -The bar stays stacked over the shoulders and does not drift forward.
- -The torso stays tall; no rocking backward with each leg lift.
- -The moving knee stays straight through the full arc.
- -Both legs travel through the same height and tempo.
Common mistakes
- -Leaning back progressively to make the leg lift easier.
- -Letting the bar wander forward as the shoulders fatigue.
- -Bending the knee to fake extra height.
- -Loading the bar; overhead position, not weight, is the point.
Programming notes
- -Use 2 to 3 sets of 8 to 12 raises per leg with an empty or technique bar.
- -Progress via slower tempo or longer sets, not plates.
- -A dowel or empty bar version doubles as overhead mobility work on press days.
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