TETSUAssisted Hanging Knee Raise vs Curl-Up
The Assisted Hanging Knee Raise and the Curl-Up both train the abs as their primary muscle. The Assisted Hanging Knee Raise is an assisted movement while the Curl-Up is bodyweight-only. Here is how they compare and when to pick each.
Side-by-side comparison
| Assisted Hanging Knee Raise | Curl-Up | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary muscle | abs | abs |
| Body part | waist | waist |
| Supporting muscles | hip flexors | hip flexors |
| Equipment | assisted | bodyweight |
| Steps in our guide | 5 | 5 |
How each one starts
Assisted Hanging Knee Raise — first steps
- Hang from a pull-up bar with your arms fully extended and your palms facing away from you.
- Engage your core muscles and lift your knees towards your chest, bending at the hips and knees.
Curl-Up — first steps
- Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground.
- Place your hands behind your head with your elbows pointing outwards.
Full step-by-step guides are linked below.
Which should you choose?
The Assisted Hanging Knee Raise reduces the load so you can own the movement before going unassisted. The Curl-Up needs no equipment and scales through leverage, tempo and reps. If your gym has both options, neither is a wrong choice: pick the one that feels strongest through a full range, and swap after 6 to 8 weeks to keep the abs adapting.
Full form guides
Common questions
Is the Assisted Hanging Knee Raise better than the Curl-Up?
Neither is universally better — both train the abs as the primary mover. The Assisted Hanging Knee Raise reduces the load so you can own the movement before going unassisted, while the Curl-Up needs no equipment and scales through leverage, tempo and reps. Choose based on your equipment and which movement you can progress consistently.
Can I do both the Assisted Hanging Knee Raise and the Curl-Up in the same program?
Yes, but usually not in the same session — they overlap heavily on the abs. A common setup is one as your main movement and the other on a second training day, or alternating them block by block.
Do the Assisted Hanging Knee Raise and the Curl-Up work the same muscles?
Yes — the primary muscle is the same (abs) and both rely on the same supporting muscles: hip flexors.
Track it in Tetsu
Tetsu tracks both movements separately, keeps your PRs per exercise, and tells you which one is actually progressing. Free to start.