core

V-Up

A full-range core exercise that folds the body into a V shape, working the upper and lower abs together in one movement.

Equipment: bodyweight

How to do it

1Lie flat on your back with your arms extended overhead and legs straight.
2Simultaneously lift your legs and upper body, reaching your hands toward your feet to form a V shape.
3Touch your hands to your shins or ankles if your flexibility and strength allow.
4Lower back down under control to the starting position.

Common mistakes

Using momentum to jerk the upper body up instead of a controlled contraction through the abs.
Letting the knees bend significantly to make the movement easier, which reduces the core demand.

Sets & reps by goal

Goal	Sets	Reps	Rest
Strength	2-3	8-12	60-90 sec
Build muscle	2-3	10-15	60-90 sec
General fitness	2-3	12-15	45-60 sec

Ranges reflect the same goal-based logic used by the workout plan tool. These are practical starting ranges rather than exact requirements; actual set count in a generated plan also depends on how often this muscle group appears elsewhere in your week.

Frequently asked questions

Is the V-Up safe for beginners?

The V-Up is tagged intermediate, meaning it generally works best once you already have some core training experience. If you're new to training, the Cable Crunch builds the same kind of movement with less demand, which makes it a reasonable place to start.

See the Cable Crunch

What muscles does the V-Up work?

The primary mover is your core. As a core movement, it also involves your hip flexors and lower-back stabilizers.

How do I make the V-Up harder as I get stronger?

Add reps until you reach the top of a challenging range, and slow down the lowering portion to make each rep harder. Once you can do well beyond 15-20 good reps, a harder variation or added load (a weighted vest, a loaded backpack, or a dumbbell) will keep progress going better than piling on more reps.

Related exercises

Learn more

Want a full plan built around exercises like this one? Try the workout plan tool.