Adductors
Inner thigh work from adduction, wide squats and lateral lunges.
Front
Back- Adductors
Exercises that train the Adductors
- Band Hip AdductionPrimary · Resistance band
- Cable Hip AdductionPrimary · Cable
- Lever Seated Hip AdductionPrimary · Machine
- Lever Seated Hip Adduction (Version 2)Primary · Machine
- Side Lying Hip AdductionPrimary · Bodyweight
- Side to Side Leg SwingsPrimary · Bodyweight
- Sitting Scapular AdductionPrimary · Bodyweight
- Sitting Scapular Adduction (Version 2)Primary · Bodyweight
- Alternate Lying Floor Leg RaiseSecondary · Bodyweight
- Band Assisted Wheel RolloutSecondary · Resistance band
- Band DeadliftSecondary · Resistance band
- Band Jack Knife Sit-UpSecondary · Resistance band
- Band Pull ThroughSecondary · Resistance band
- Band TwistSecondary · Resistance band
- Barbell Bench Front SquatSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Bench SquatSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Curtsey LungeSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell DeadliftSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Front SquatSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Good MorningSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Hack SquatSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Lateral LungeSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell LungeSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Narrow Stance SquatSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Power JerkSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Rear LungeSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell RolloutSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Romanian DeadliftSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Single Leg DeadliftSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Single Leg Split SquatSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Split SquatSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Split Squat (Version 2)Secondary · Barbell
- Barbell Step UpSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Straight Leg DeadliftSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Sumo DeadliftSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Sumo Romanian DeadliftSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Wide SquatSecondary · Barbell
- Bodyweight Pulse SquatSecondary · Bodyweight
- Bottoms UpSecondary · Bodyweight
- Bridge Hip AbductionSecondary · Bodyweight
- Cable DeadliftSecondary · Cable
- Cable Squat Row (with Rope Attachment)Secondary · Cable
- Cable Twisting Overhead PressSecondary · Cable
- Curtsey SquatSecondary · Bodyweight
- Dumbbell Bar Grip Sumo SquatSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Bench SquatSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell DeadliftSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Front SquatSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Goblet Split Squat Front Foot ElevantedSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Goblet SquatSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Iron CrossSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell LungeSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Rear LungeSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Side Lunge (Version 3)Secondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Single Leg SquatSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Split SquatSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Split Squat Front Foot ElevantedSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell SquatSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Step UpSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell SwingSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell ThrusterSecondary · Dumbbell
- Elbow to Knee Side Plank CrunchSecondary · Bodyweight
- Flutter Kicks (Version 3)Secondary · Bodyweight
- Frog CrunchSecondary · Bodyweight
- Gorilla ChinSecondary · Bodyweight
- Hanging Oblique Knee RaiseSecondary · Bodyweight
- Hanging PikeSecondary · Bodyweight
- Hanging Straight Leg Hip RaiseSecondary · Bodyweight
- Hanging Straight Leg RaiseSecondary · Bodyweight
- Hanging Straight Twisting Leg Hip RaiseSecondary · Bodyweight
- Hip Raise (Bent Knee)Secondary · Bodyweight
- Hip SwirlsSecondary · Bodyweight
- Incline Leg Hip Raise (Leg Straight)Secondary · Bodyweight
- Kettlebell DeadliftSecondary · Kettlebell
- Kettlebell Double WindmillSecondary · Kettlebell
- Kettlebell Front SquatSecondary · Kettlebell
- Kettlebell Goblet SquatSecondary · Kettlebell
- Kettlebell Lunge Pass ThroughSecondary · Kettlebell
- Kettlebell SwingSecondary · Kettlebell
- Kettlebell ThrusterSecondary · Kettlebell
- Kneeling Leg Half CircleSecondary · Bodyweight
- Lateral Step UpSecondary · Bodyweight
- Lever Deadlift (Plate Loaded)Secondary · Machine
- Lever Horizontal One Leg PressSecondary · Machine
- Lever Pendulum Squat (Plate Loaded)Secondary · Machine
- Lever Reverse Vertical Hack SquatSecondary · Machine
- Lever Seated Leg PressSecondary · Machine
- Lever Side Hip AbductionSecondary · Machine
- Lever Squat (Plate Loaded)Secondary · Machine
- Lever Standing Rear KickSecondary · Machine
- Lunge with Leg LiftSecondary · Bodyweight
- Lying Leg Hip RaiseSecondary · Bodyweight
- Otis UpSecondary · Bodyweight
- Plank JackSecondary · Bodyweight
- Potty Squat with SupportSecondary · Bodyweight
- Pull in (on Stability Ball)Secondary · Bodyweight
- Scissors (Advanced)Secondary · Bodyweight
- Side Bridge Hip AbductionSecondary · Bodyweight
- Side LungeSecondary · Bodyweight
- Sit (Wall)Secondary · Bodyweight
- Sled 45 Degrees One Leg PressSecondary · Machine
- Sled Hack SquatSecondary · Machine
- Smith Chair SquatSecondary · Machine
- Smith DeadliftSecondary · Machine
- Smith Front Squat (Clean Grip)Secondary · Machine
- Smith Leg PressSecondary · Machine
- Smith Single Leg Split SquatSecondary · Machine
- Smith Sumo SquatSecondary · Machine
- SquatSecondary · Bodyweight
- Squat on BOSU BallSecondary · Bodyweight
- Sumo SquatSecondary · Bodyweight
- V UpSecondary · Bodyweight
- Vertical Leg Raise (on Parallel Bars)Secondary · Bodyweight
- Weighted Hanging Leg Hip RaiseSecondary · Bodyweight
- Wheel RolloutSecondary · Bodyweight
- Adductor StretchPrimary · Bodyweight
- Hip Circles StretchPrimary · Bodyweight
- Seated Groin StretchPrimary · Bodyweight
- Bridge Pose Setu BandhasanaSecondary · Bodyweight
- Butterfly Yoga PoseSecondary · Bodyweight
- Crossover Kneeling Hip Flexor StretchSecondary · Bodyweight
- Pigeon Hip StretchSecondary · Bodyweight
- Plyo Side Lunge StretchSecondary · Bodyweight
- Roll Hip StretchSecondary · Bodyweight
- Jump RopeSecondary · Bodyweight
- Jump SquatSecondary · Bodyweight
- Walk Wave MachineSecondary · Machine
- WalkingSecondary · Bodyweight
- Walking LungeSecondary · Bodyweight
- Walking on StepmillSecondary · Machine
- Walking on TreadmillSecondary · Machine
How to train it
Train the Adductors 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 →Adductors FAQ
What are the best exercises for the Adductors?
Band Hip Adduction, Cable Hip Adduction, Lever Seated Hip Adduction and Lever Seated Hip Adduction (Version 2) are among the most effective adductors exercises. Pair a heavy compound movement with one or two assistance exercises to train the adductors through its full range.
How often should you train the Adductors?
Training the adductors 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 adductors 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.

Abductors
Outer hip — abduction work for hip stability and a balanced lower body.

Calves
Ankle extension and lower-leg stability.

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