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Standing hip abduction

Guidance

Lifting the leg out to the side loads the gluteus medius, the muscle that keeps the pelvis level over a single stance leg.

Start this movement
2.5 to 3.0 m awayYou
Facing the cameraLens 0.5 to 1.4 m

Before you start

A session holds exercises. An exercise holds sets. Stop what a rule names and everything inside it.

  • Pain past 5 out of 10: stop the set.
  • Grab the support to stay upright: stop the set.
  • Groin or hip pain in the standing leg: stop the exercise.

The movement

  1. Stand tall beside a bench or solid table.
  2. One hand on the support.
  3. Eyes ahead, fixed point.
  4. Feet together.
  5. Body straight, both hips facing forward.

  1. Take the weight onto the standing leg.
  2. Lift the other leg out to the side.
  3. Keep that knee straight, not locked.
  4. Toes pointing forward.
  5. Hold 5 seconds.
  6. Lower the leg slowly.
  7. Rest 2 seconds.

hip abduction
Up to 45 degreesTest protocol, moderate confidence
Sets
1
Repetitions
8 to 12, held 5 seconds
Sessions a week
2 to 4
Down
2 seconds
Pause at the bottom
2 seconds
Up
2 seconds
Pause at the top
5 seconds

Sets, repetitions and sessions: Test protocol, moderate confidence.