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Exercise guide

Step-up with Knee Raise

How to do the Step-up with Knee Raise with correct form, the muscles it works, and where it fits a training plan you actually stick to.

CompoundBody OnlyBeginnerPush
Primary muscles

Glutes

Secondary

Hamstrings, Quads

Equipment

Body Only

Step by step

How to do the Step-up with Knee Raise

  1. 1

    Stand facing a box or bench of an appropriate height with your feet together. This will be your starting position.

  2. 2

    Begin the movement by stepping up, putting your left foot on the top of the bench. Extend through the hip and knee of your front leg to stand up on the box. As you stand on the box with your left leg, flex your right knee and hip, bringing your knee as high as you can.

  3. 3

    Reverse this motion to step down off the box, and then repeat the sequence on the opposite leg.

In Ascend

Log it, see it on your body.

Every Step-up with Knee Raise set you log feeds Ascend's anatomy heatmap, so your glutes volume is visible at a glance, and counts toward your bodyweight-strength tier.

Train with a goal

Where the Step-up with Knee Raise fits

The Step-up with Knee Raise shows up in training built around a specific goal. See how it fits:

Related

More glutes exercises

FAQ

Step-up with Knee Raise: common questions

What muscles does the Step-up with Knee Raise work?

The Step-up with Knee Raise primarily works the Glutes. It also recruits the Hamstrings and Quads as supporting muscles.

Is the Step-up with Knee Raise suitable for beginners?

Yes. The Step-up with Knee Raise is a beginner-level exercise, so it's a solid choice if you're new to training. Start light and focus on the movement pattern before adding load.

What equipment do I need for the Step-up with Knee Raise?

None. The Step-up with Knee Raise is a bodyweight exercise, so you can do it without any equipment.

Is the Step-up with Knee Raise a compound or isolation exercise?

The Step-up with Knee Raise is a compound exercise, it moves multiple joints and works several muscle groups at once, which makes it efficient for building overall strength.

How do I do the Step-up with Knee Raise with correct form?

Stand facing a box or bench of an appropriate height with your feet together. This will be your starting position. Follow the full step-by-step above for the complete movement.

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