Bicep Hold Ab Levers (Vertical Dragon Flags) For Lower Abs

This exercise setup looks very similar to the Dragon Flag, popularized by Bruce Lee. It focuses isometric (progressing to eccentric) tension on the lower aspect of the abs without putting torque on your lower back, as some forms of leg raises do.

 



 


 

While you can't fully ISOLATE the lower abs, you CAN shift more tension onto the lower aspect of the rectus abdominis (which is the six pack abs), which is what this setup does.

 

To set this up, set the safety rails of the power rack high, level with the back of your head (or use a Smith machine) and set an empty bar on them. Pull the bar up against the uprights to brace it. Slide the bar to the left (if you're on the left upright of the rack) so that you have more "thin" bar to grab onto (you'll see what I mean when you try it).

Set your upper back against the upright then reach up behind your head and grip the bar with a supinated grip (regular curl grip) on either side of the upright. This hand placement is why you don't need any weight on the bar and this is why you want more "thin" bar to be available to grip onto.

Bicep Hold Ab Levers (Hanging Dragon Flags) For Lower Abs

Now contract your biceps hard and raise your legs up out in front of you, using your biceps to pull your hips about a foot away from the upright.

Bicep Hold Ab Levers (Hanging Dragon Flags) For Lower Abs

This pull away is what takes the torque off the lower back, because the fulcrum (bracing/pivot point of the lever) is now the UPPER back instead of the lower back or hips.

For maximum tension, hold your legs straight out in front of you. For less tension, keep your knees bent and in towards your chest.

Bicep Hold Ab Levers (Hanging Dragon Flags) For Lower Abs

Or you can do what I show and start with your legs straight, then bring your knees up and in as you fatigue. This allows you to hold for longer because you're making the exercise easier on the fly.

Hold for as long as you can until either your abs give out or your biceps give out...or both.

Bicep Hold Ab Levers (Hanging Dragon Flags) For Lower Abs

Because in addition to working your lower abs, this one actually puts fantastic "peak contraction" tension on the biceps as well and hits them very strongly.

Another excellent (and a bit easier) isometric exercise for the lower abs is the Counterbalance Lower Ab Rack Plank.

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Want 90 more unique and challenging exercises to SHRED your core? Check out The Best Core Exercises You've Never Heard Of!

 

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