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Weighted Pullover with Leg Raise

Intermediate
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A compound movement combining a dumbbell pullover and leg raise that targets the abs, lats, and hip flexors to build core stability and upper body strength.

About Exercise

Equipment

Dumbbells, Flat Bench

Difficulty

3/5 • Intermediate

Primary Muscle Groups

Lats, Chest, Abs, Hip Flexors

Secondary Muscles

Quads, Triceps, Lower Back

Popularity Score

5

Goals

Strength
Hypertrophy
Stability

Training Style

Functional Training

Setup Requirements

Requires Rack

No

Requires Bench

Yes

Requires Spotter

No

Space Needed

Small

Noise Level

Low

Muscle Breakdown

Lats

9/10

Teres Major

Abs

9/10

Rectus Abdominis

Chest

8/10

Mid Chest

Hip Flexors

8/10

Iliopsoas

Obliques

6/10

External Obliques, Internal Obliques

Quads

5/10

Rectus Femoris

Triceps

4/10

Long Head

Lower Back

3/10

Erector Spinae

Programming

Typical Rep Range

8-15 reps

Rest Between Sets

60-90 seconds

How to Perform

Lie supine on a flat bench holding a dumbbell with both hands over your chest and legs raised vertically toward the ceiling.

  1. Simultaneously lower the dumbbell behind your head and your legs toward the floor.
  2. Keep your arms slightly bent and your legs straight or slightly bent.
  3. Stop when your arms align with your ears and legs are near the floor without arching your back.
  4. Engage your core and lats to pull the weight and legs back to the starting position.

Coaching Tips

Form Cues

  • Ribs down
  • Press back into bench
  • Control the arc
  • Squeeze abs tight

Breathing

Inhale as you lower the weight and legs, expanding the rib cage; exhale forcefully as you return to the start.

Tempo

3-1-1

Range of Motion

Lower arms until a stretch is felt in the lats and legs until the lower back begins to lift off the bench.

Safety

Safety Notes

  • Stop immediately if lower back pain occurs
  • Ensure a secure grip on the dumbbell
  • Limit leg range if core control fails

Spotting

Not recommended; perform with manageable weights or use floor if bench feels unstable.

Common Mistakes

  • Arching lower back
  • Bending elbows excessively
  • Using momentum
  • Chin jutting forward

When to Avoid

  • Lower back injuries
  • Shoulder instability
  • Hip flexor strains

Flexibility Needed

  • Shoulder flexion to 180 degrees
  • Hip flexion without lumbar arch
  • Ankle dorsiflexion for leg control

Build Up First

  • Master basic dumbbell pullover
  • Master lying leg raises
  • Core bracing competency

Also known as

DB Pullover Leg Raise, Dumbbell Pullover Crunch, Lying Pullover Leg Raise

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