Updated August 11, 2014.

One of the best exercises for the abdominal muscles is the hanging leg raise. In contrast to a traditional crunch and the many variants, which is essentially a top-down approach, the hanging leg raise is a bottom-up approach, which works the abs in a slightly different way. Include both types in your training for best effect. Here's how to do the hanging leg raise.

Find out more about weight training terminology and exercise description if you need background information before you try this exercise.

• Grasp a bar or hooks or rings above your head. You don't have to necessarily be hanging at this stage, but ideally the grip does have to be well above your head.
• Pull up off the ground and swing your legs outward, keeping them straight. Feel the abdominal muscles working hard as you do this.
• Alternatively, and a little easier: bring your knees up to your waist and then straighten them again.
• With each of these movements you are 'hanging' by the overhead grips during the exercise.
• Do ten repetitions in a set -- or as many as you can manage. Try to do 30 repetitions in total.

A similar exercise is leg raises in the Captain's chair.