Purpose

(1) To emphasize and develop the lower abdominal muscles.

Execution

(1) Support yourself on your arms on a vertical bench. (2) Holding your upper body steady, bend your knees and raise them up as high as you can, flexing your abs through the full range of motion. Keeping your legs bent, lower them again to the starting position.

Tips (1) Any variation of an exercise forces the muscles to respond in new and different ways. When working the abdominal muscles with vertical bench leg raises, try doing the movement using each leg alternately instead of simultaneously.