[spiral]

I was thinking about the main lifts that I perform routinely (squat, deadlift, bench, OHP and weighted pull ups), and I realized that they trained pulling and pushing strength with the upper body, but only pushing strength with the lower body. So I began asking myself:

1) am I right about this, or is there some physiological flaw in my thinking?

2) isn't pulling with lower body important too, as far as grappling is concerned?

2) what exercise could I do to train pulling strength with lower body?

it should be some compound lift, and I think it should in fact be the opposite motion of a deadlift or squar, or so it seems to me... So I imagined this: catching a pull-up bar, attach weigth to my feet in some way, and lift the legs in the exact reverse motion of a squat. I'm not sure if there is a form that could involve in a compound way both abds and legs in a pulling motion... Maybe this exercise do exist and have a name, I couldn't find. Or maybe it would not work at all. I'll try it as soon as I can anyway. My final question is:

3) is this a good idea? or some noob and stupid idea?

[Urban]

you could do sled drags with it attached to your ankles.

[Ascendant]

You're talking about hip flexion/raising your knees. You can do them and it's not dumb (unless you have chronically tight hp flexors, then DON'T).

But you're pulling every single time you do a squat and deadlift. I think maybe a lot of people don't really know how the hamstrings work, but they are the biggest pulling muscle in the lower body. You're already using it. A LOT.

So, to answer your question: You don't need to do anything else, unless you feel like your hamstrings are weak/under-developed. And, you're probably working your other "pulling" muscles (the hip flexors) every single time you do abs (assuming you do them. See the Ab-accountability log if not) - they're extremely hard to avoid using when performing abs (spinal flexion).

[Miracle Man]

Glute ham raises would be a good choice. Ascendant is right though. Raising your knees to your torso is using the hip flexors.

[IronMaidenfan#1]

Deadlifts are a pulling exercise with a lot of pressure on the legs, I think your lifts are fine.

[Old Man]

Deadlifts.

[vince89]

Cable Pullthroughs will give you a big booty.

[flak]

I've been meaning to try doing hanging knee raises with a dumbbell between my feet.

If it works, I may rig up a small dip belt-type apparatus that fits around my ankles, so I can use plates.

[ahab]

Originally Posted by flak

I've been meaning to try doing hanging knee raises with a dumbbell between my feet.

This used to be a staple in my workouts, I think I paid for it a couple years later when I started concentrating on my squats more.

[flak]

Originally Posted by ahab

This used to be a staple in my workouts, I think I paid for it a couple years later when I started concentrating on my squats more.

What do you mean? Did it mess up your squatting ability?