Side Plank Hip Adduction

Strengthen your core, obliques, and hip adductors with the Side Plank Hip Adduction.

Intermediate
Compound
Pull
1 min per set30s rest

Description

An exercise that strengthens the core, glutes, and hip adductors by maintaining a side plank position while lifting the top leg.

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How to Do Side Plank Hip Adduction

  1. 1
    Setup

    Lie on your side, propped up on your forearm with your elbow directly under your shoulder, ensuring your body forms a straight line.

  2. 2
    Setup

    Stack your hips and knees, with your bottom leg extended straight and your top leg bent, placing your top foot flat on the floor in front of your bottom knee.

  3. 3
    Setup

    Engage your core and glutes, lifting your hips off the floor to form a straight line from your head to your bottom heel, maintaining a strong side plank position.

  4. 4

    From this stable side plank, exhale as you slowly lift your straight bottom leg off the floor towards the ceiling, using your inner thigh muscles.

  5. 5

    Hold the lifted position for a brief moment, focusing on the contraction in your adductors, before inhaling as you slowly lower your bottom leg back down with control.

  6. 6

    Complete all repetitions on one side, keeping your hips elevated and stable throughout, before switching to the other side.

Tips

  • Maintain Plank Stability: Throughout the movement, ensure your hips remain stacked and don't rotate forward or backward; keep your core tight to prevent your hips from sagging.
  • Controlled Movement: Focus on a slow, controlled lift and lower of the bottom leg; avoid using momentum, as this reduces the effectiveness of the adductor muscles.
  • Foot Position: Keep your bottom foot dorsiflexed (toes pulled towards shin) to help engage the adductors more effectively and maintain a straight leg.

Common Mistakes

  • ×Sagging Hips: Allowing your hips to drop towards the floor during the exercise reduces core engagement; fix this by actively pressing through your forearm and engaging your obliques to maintain a straight line from head to heel.
  • ×Using Momentum: Swinging the bottom leg up quickly rather than lifting it with control diminishes adductor activation; fix this by slowing down the movement and focusing on a deliberate contraction of the inner thigh muscles.
  • ×Rotating the Torso: Twisting your upper body or hips to assist the leg lift can strain your back; fix this by keeping your shoulders and hips stacked and facing directly forward throughout the movement.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What muscles does Side Plank Hip Adduction work?
Side Plank Hip Adduction primarily targets Adductor Brevis, Adductor Longus, Adductor Magnus, Gluteus Medius, Obliques, Pectineous. Secondary muscles include Gracilis, Tensor Fasciae Latae.
Is Side Plank Hip Adduction good for beginners?
Side Plank Hip Adduction is rated intermediate. Beginners can still attempt it with lighter weight and careful form, but it's best to master easier variations first.
What equipment do I need for Side Plank Hip Adduction?
You need Body weight to perform Side Plank Hip Adduction. If you don't have this equipment, look for variations that target the same muscles with what you have available.
What are the best tips for Side Plank Hip Adduction?
Maintain Plank Stability: Throughout the movement, ensure your hips remain stacked and don't rotate forward or backward; keep your core tight to prevent your hips from sagging. Controlled Movement: Focus on a slow, controlled lift and lower of the bottom leg; avoid using momentum, as this reduces the effectiveness of the adductor muscles. Foot Position: Keep your bottom foot dorsiflexed (toes pulled towards shin) to help engage the adductors more effectively and maintain a straight leg.
What are common mistakes when doing Side Plank Hip Adduction?
Sagging Hips: Allowing your hips to drop towards the floor during the exercise reduces core engagement; fix this by actively pressing through your forearm and engaging your obliques to maintain a straight line from head to heel. Using Momentum: Swinging the bottom leg up quickly rather than lifting it with control diminishes adductor activation; fix this by slowing down the movement and focusing on a deliberate contraction of the inner thigh muscles. Rotating the Torso: Twisting your upper body or hips to assist the leg lift can strain your back; fix this by keeping your shoulders and hips stacked and facing directly forward throughout the movement.

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Side Plank Hip Adduction

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