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Dragon Flag

Step by step instructions, muscle activation and variants for the Dragon Flag.

HardAbsCore

About this exercise

The Dragon Flag Leg Raise is an advanced core exercise popularized by Bruce Lee, performed on a flat bench. You anchor your upper body by gripping the bench behind your head, then raise and lower your legs and torso as a single rigid unit, demanding intense full-body tension through the entire abdominal wall.

How to Perform

  • Lie on a flat bench and grip the sides or the top edge firmly behind your head for support
  • Brace your entire body and raise your legs and hips off the bench, lifting until your body is near-vertical with weight supported only on your upper back
  • Keep your body straight and rigid — do not pike at the hips
  • Slowly lower your body toward the bench in a controlled descent, maintaining full-body tension
  • Stop just before you touch the bench and reverse the movement upward
  • Complete all reps without releasing tension

Muscle Activation

Primary
AbsCore
Secondary
ObliquesLower back

Common Mistakes

Common mistakes content is coming soon.

About the Dragon Flag

The Dragon Flag is a foundational movement that builds strength and muscle through controlled, progressive overload. Train it 1 to 2 times per week with 3 to 5 working sets per session, gradually adding weight or reps as form holds up.