How to perform Bodyweight Knees to Elbows with proper form
Setup
- Starting Position: Hang from a pull-up bar with a shoulder-width grip, arms fully extended, legs straight down.
Execution
- Engage Core: Tighten your core muscles to stabilize your body.
- Lift Legs: Bend your knees and lift them towards your elbows, driving your knees upward.
- Aim for Elbows: Bring your knees as high as possible, ideally touching your elbows or getting close.
- Controlled Descent: Lower your legs back to the starting position in a controlled manner, avoiding swinging.
Key Points
- Maintain a slight bend in your elbows throughout.
- Keep your body straight and avoid excessive swinging.
- Breathe out as you raise your knees and inhale as you lower them.
- Focus on engaging your core for maximum effectiveness.
Common Mistakes
- Swinging legs instead of using core muscles.
- Not lifting knees high enough.
- Letting shoulders shrug up towards ears – keep them relaxed.
By following these instructions, you'll ensure that you're performing Bodyweight Knees to Elbows with proper form, maximizing benefits while minimizing the risk of injury.
Exercises

Ab Wheel, Bodyweight
Type: Core
Target: Abs
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Shoulders, Back, Chest

Bicycle Crunch, Bodyweight
Type: Core
Target: Abs
Synergist: Glutes, Quadriceps

Cable Crunch, Cable
Type: Core
Target: Abs

Cable Twist, Barbell
Type: Core
Target: Abs
Synergist: Glutes

Cable Twist, Cable
Type: Core
Target: Abs
Synergist: Glutes

Cable Twist, Band
Type: Core
Target: Abs
Synergist: Glutes

Cable Twist, Bodyweight
Type: Core
Target: Abs
Synergist: Glutes

Cable Twist, Leverage Machine
Type: Core
Target: Abs
Synergist: Glutes

Cross Body Crunch, Bodyweight
Type: Core
Target: Abs
Synergist: Glutes, Quadriceps

Crunch, Cable
Type: Core
Target: Abs

Crunch, Bodyweight
Type: Core
Target: Abs

Crunch, Leverage Machine
Type: Core
Target: Abs

Flat Knee Raise, Bodyweight
Type: Core
Target: Abs
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps

Flat Leg Raise, Bodyweight
Type: Core
Target: Abs
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Glutes

Glute Bridge March, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Legs
Target: Glutes, Abs
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps

Hanging Leg Raise, Cable
Type: Core
Target: Abs
Synergist: Quadriceps, Glutes

Hanging Leg Raise, Bodyweight
Type: Core
Target: Abs
Synergist: Quadriceps, Glutes

Jackknife Sit Up, Bodyweight
Type: Core
Target: Abs
Synergist: Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Glutes

Knees to Elbows, Bodyweight
Type: Core
Target: Abs
Synergist: Quadriceps

Oblique Crunch, Bodyweight
Type: Core
Target: Abs