How to Do Elbow to Knee
Start and end of one clean rep of Elbow to Knee.
Quick facts
| Primary muscle | Core |
|---|---|
| Secondary muscles | — |
| Equipment | Bodyweight |
| Category | Strength |
How to perform Elbow to Knee
- Lie on the floor, crossing your right leg across your bent left knee. Clasp your hands behind your head, beginning with your shoulder blades on the ground. This will be your starting position.
- Perform the motion by flexing the spine and rotating your torso to bring the left elbow to the right knee.
- Return to the starting position and repeat the movement for the desired number of repetitions before switching sides.
Muscles worked
- Core (primary): braces the trunk and resists twisting to protect the spine.
Sets & reps by goal
| Goal | Sets × reps | Load | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | 3–5 × 3–5 | Heavy (~85%+) | 2–3 min |
| Hypertrophy | 3–4 × 8–12 | Moderate (~65–75%) | 60–90 s |
| Endurance | 2–3 × 15–20 | Lighter (~50–60%) | 30–45 s |
Bodyweight movement: once you own the top of a rep range, progress by slowing the tempo, pausing at the hardest point, or moving to a harder variation instead of adding load.
Form tips
- Brace as if about to take a light punch and breathe shallowly — don't hold your breath for the whole set.
- Own the largest range you can control with clean form before you chase extra reps.
- Treat every rep the same — a repeatable setup and bar path is what lets you add weight safely over time.
- Stop a rep or two short of failure on most sets to keep form clean and recover faster.
Common mistakes
- Cranking with the hip flexors or neck instead of moving from the trunk.
- Cutting the range short to squeeze out extra reps instead of owning each full one.
- Chasing weight jumps before the current load feels solid on every rep.
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does Elbow to Knee work?
Elbow to Knee is a focused movement that primarily works the core.
What equipment do I need for Elbow to Knee?
None — Elbow to Knee is a bodyweight movement, so you only need your bodyweight and a little space.
How many sets and reps should I do for Elbow to Knee?
It depends on your goal: about 3–5 sets of 3–5 heavy reps for strength, 3–4 sets of 8–12 for muscle growth, or 2–3 sets of 15–20 for endurance. Bodyweight movement: once you own the top of a rep range, progress by slowing the tempo, pausing at the hardest point, or moving to a harder variation instead of adding load.
Train Elbow to Knee with a coach in your pocket
Gimmy is your AI gym buddy — it programs Elbow to Knee into recovery-aware workouts, tracks your sets, and shows one score that tells you if it's working.
Get early access