Abductors
Outer hip — abduction work for hip stability and a balanced lower body.
Front
Back- Gluteus medius
- Tensor fasciae latae
Exercises that train the Abductors
- Band Hip AbductionPrimary · Resistance band
- Band Lying Hip Internal RotationPrimary · Resistance band
- Bent Knee Lying TwistPrimary · Bodyweight
- Bent Leg Side Kick (Kneeling)Primary · Bodyweight
- Bridge Hip AbductionPrimary · Bodyweight
- Cable Hip Abduction (Version 2)Primary · Cable
- Lever Seated Hip AbductionPrimary · Machine
- Lever Seated Hip Abduction (Version 2)Primary · Machine
- Resistance Band ClamPrimary · Resistance band
- Resistance Band Lying AbductionPrimary · Resistance band
- Resistance Band Seated Hip AbductionPrimary · Resistance band
- Resistance Band Seated Hip Abduction (Version 2)Primary · Resistance band
- Resistance Band Standing Balance Hip AbductionPrimary · Resistance band
- Alternate Lying Floor Leg RaiseSecondary · Bodyweight
- Band Assisted Wheel RolloutSecondary · Resistance band
- Band Decline Sit-UpSecondary · Resistance band
- Band Jack Knife Sit-UpSecondary · Resistance band
- Band TwistSecondary · Resistance band
- Barbell Curtsey LungeSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell RolloutSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Sumo DeadliftSecondary · Barbell
- Bent Knee Back to Side KickSecondary · Bodyweight
- Bottoms UpSecondary · Bodyweight
- Cable Hanging Leg RaiseSecondary · Cable
- Cable TwistSecondary · Cable
- Curtsey SquatSecondary · Bodyweight
- Decline Sit-UpSecondary · Bodyweight
- Dumbbell Bar Grip Sumo SquatSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Goblet SquatSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Side BridgeSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Side Lunge (Version 3)Secondary · Dumbbell
- Elbow to Knee Side Plank CrunchSecondary · Bodyweight
- Elbow Up and Down Dynamic PlankSecondary · Bodyweight
- Flutter Kicks (Version 3)Secondary · Bodyweight
- Frog CrunchSecondary · Bodyweight
- Front PlankSecondary · Bodyweight
- Front Plank with Leg LiftSecondary · Bodyweight
- Gorilla ChinSecondary · Bodyweight
- Hanging Leg Hip RaiseSecondary · Bodyweight
- Hanging Oblique Knee RaiseSecondary · Bodyweight
- Hanging PikeSecondary · Bodyweight
- Hanging Straight Leg RaiseSecondary · Bodyweight
- Hip Raise (Bent Knee)Secondary · Bodyweight
- Hip SwirlsSecondary · Bodyweight
- Incline Leg Hip Raise (Leg Straight)Secondary · Bodyweight
- Kettlebell Bent PressSecondary · Kettlebell
- Kettlebell Double WindmillSecondary · Kettlebell
- Kettlebell Goblet SquatSecondary · Kettlebell
- Kettlebell WindmillSecondary · Kettlebell
- Kneeling Leg Half CircleSecondary · Bodyweight
- Kneeling PlankSecondary · Bodyweight
- Kneeling Side Leg to KickSecondary · Bodyweight
- Lever Horizontal One Leg PressSecondary · Machine
- Lying Leg Hip RaiseSecondary · Bodyweight
- Lying Leg RaiseSecondary · Bodyweight
- Negative Dragon FlagSecondary · Bodyweight
- Plank JackSecondary · Bodyweight
- Pull in (on Stability Ball)Secondary · Bodyweight
- Scissors (Advanced)Secondary · Bodyweight
- Seated in Out Leg Raise on FloorSecondary · Bodyweight
- Side Bridge Hip AbductionSecondary · Bodyweight
- Side LungeSecondary · Bodyweight
- Side to Side Leg SwingsSecondary · Bodyweight
- Smith Sumo SquatSecondary · Machine
- Spider Crawl Push-UpSecondary · Bodyweight
- Standing Wheel RolloutSecondary · Bodyweight
- Straight Leg Sit-UpSecondary · Bodyweight
- V Up with ClapSecondary · Bodyweight
- Vertical Leg Raise (on Parallel Bars)Secondary · Bodyweight
- Weighted Hanging Leg Hip RaiseSecondary · Bodyweight
- Iron Cross StretchPrimary · Bodyweight
- Roll Hip StretchPrimary · Bodyweight
- Hip Circles StretchSecondary · Bodyweight
- Pigeon Hip StretchSecondary · Bodyweight
- Plyo Side Lunge StretchSecondary · Bodyweight
- Walking on StepmillSecondary · Machine
How to train it
Train the Abductors with 2–4 of the movements above. Cover different angles, use 2–4 sets each in a 6–15 rep range, and progress the load over time. Pair primary lifts with assisting movements for complete development.
Open the muscle planner →Abductors FAQ
What are the best exercises for the Abductors?
Band Hip Abduction, Band Lying Hip Internal Rotation, Bent Knee Lying Twist and Bent Leg Side Kick (Kneeling) are among the most effective abductors exercises. Pair a heavy compound movement with one or two assistance exercises to train the abductors through its full range.
How often should you train the Abductors?
Training the abductors two to three times per week, with roughly 10–20 hard sets in total, works well for most lifters. Leave about 48 hours between demanding abductors sessions so the muscle can recover and grow.
Related muscles

Glutes
Hip extension and abduction from thrusts, bridges and squats.

Quadriceps
Knee extension and squat-dominant leg work.

Hamstrings
Hip hinges and knee-flexion patterns for the back of the thigh.

Adductors
Inner thigh work from adduction, wide squats and lateral lunges.

Calves
Ankle extension and lower-leg stability.

Tibialis
Front shin — dorsiflexion work for knee health and balanced lower legs.