Quadruped Abdominal Draw-In — start position
Start
Quadruped Abdominal Draw-In — end position
End

Core / Beginner / Isometric (hold)

Quadruped Abdominal Draw-In

A hands-and-knees core activation drill that pulls the belly button in to train the deep abdominals.

At a glance

Primary
Abs
Secondary
Obliques
Equipment
Bodyweight
Movement pattern
Anti-extension (brace)
Level
Beginner
Type
Core, Isometric (hold)

How to do it

  1. Get on your hands and knees with hands under shoulders and knees under hips.
  2. Keep your spine and pelvis neutral.
  3. Draw your belly button up toward your spine without moving your back.
  4. Hold for a few seconds, release and repeat.

Tips

  • Your back should not round or move; only the abdomen draws in.
  • Keep breathing during the hold.

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Muscles worked

Neck (Front)Upper traps (Front)Front delts (Front)Side delts (Front)Chest (Front)Serratus anterior (Front)Biceps (Front)Forearms & grip (Front)Abs — primary (Front)Obliques — secondary (Front)Hip flexors (Front)Quads (Front)Adductors (Front)Shins (tibialis) (Front)Calves (Front)Outer shins (peroneals) (Front)Feet (arch & toes) (Front)Neck (Back)Upper traps (Back)Upper back (rhomboids, mid/lower traps) (Back)Rear delts (Back)Side delts (Back)Rotator cuff (Back)Lats (Back)Lower back (erectors) (Back)Triceps (Back)Forearms & grip (Back)Hip abductors (glute med) (Back)Glutes (Back)Hamstrings (Back)Adductors (Back)Calves (Back)
FrontBack
  • Primary: Abs
  • Secondary: Obliques

Best for

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Illustration: Everkinetic (everkinetic.com), CC BY-SA 4.0.