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Side Plank Hip Adduction
A Copenhagen-style side plank with the top leg supported on a bench, loading the adductors isometrically and through bottom-leg raises for serious groin strength.
LegsBodyweightHip adduction
GoLightWeight mediaside-plank-hip-adduction
Demonstration coming soon
Primary
Adductors
Secondary
ObliquesGluteus mediusQuadratus lumborum
Equipment
Bodyweight
Pattern
Hip adduction
Setup
- 01Lie on one side beside a flat bench with the elbow under the shoulder.
- 02Place the top leg's inner foot or lower shin on the bench.
- 03Keep the bottom leg straight beneath the bench.
- 04Brace the trunk before lifting.
Execution
- 01Drive the top leg into the bench to lift the hips into a straight side plank.
- 02Raise the bottom leg up toward the underside of the bench.
- 03Pause briefly with both inner thighs working.
- 04Lower the bottom leg under control and repeat, then switch sides.
Checkpoints
- -Body forms one straight line from head to the supported foot.
- -Hips stay tall; the pelvis neither sags nor rotates.
- -Tension is felt along both inner thighs, hardest in the top leg.
- -Shoulder stays stacked over the elbow throughout.
Common mistakes
- -Letting the hips drop toward the floor mid-set.
- -Hooking the knee far onto the bench, which shortens the lever too much for trained lifters.
- -Rushing the bottom-leg raises with momentum.
- -Holding the breath instead of bracing and breathing.
Programming notes
- -Start with 2 to 3 holds of 10 to 20 seconds per side before adding bottom-leg reps.
- -Progress to 2 to 3 sets of 6 to 12 raises per side; support at the shin is harder than at the knee.
- -Valuable groin injury prevention work for lifters and field athletes, 1 to 2 times per week.
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