The V-Up is a intermediate-friendly bodyweight strength exercise that targets the abdominals, with the quadriceps working alongside. Here's how to do it right — and what to stop doing.
Primary musclesAbs
Secondary musclesQuads
EquipmentBodyweight
LevelIntermediate
TypeStrength
3D demo in the EGON app
01 Execution
How to do the V-Up
Lie flat on your back with your arms extended overhead and your legs straight.
Point your toes, brace your abdominals and lift your feet a few inches off the floor.
Exhale and raise your torso and legs at the same time, keeping both straight.
Reach your hands toward your shins at the top so the body forms a V.
Inhale and lower your torso and legs together under control.
Stop with the feet just above the floor to keep tension, then start the next rep.
02 The payoff
Why it earns its spot
Works the upper and lower abdominals in one coordinated rep.
Improves trunk control and balance without any equipment.
Scales easily by bending the knees or shortening the range.
03 Don't do this
Common mistakes
Rounding the back and shoulders at the top, which loads the lumbar spine instead of the abdominals.
Swinging the arms to generate lift, which replaces core work with momentum.
Resting the feet on the floor between reps, which drops tension and makes each rep a fresh start.
Bending the knees to reach the top position, which shortens the lever and reduces the demand.
EGON Put it on record
Track it in EGON.
Log every set of the V-Up, get your PRs detected automatically, earn aura for the work — and climb five leagues of statues, from Stone to Ego.
