For many folks, adductor exercises are a neglected part of strength training.
Heres what you (and your neglected inner thighs) need to know.
What do your adductors do anyway?
Katie Thompson
Their main function is to stabilize your pelvis, according to Dr. Betiku.
They also help steady your knees, he adds.
(More on that in a moment.)
Why are adductor exercises so important?
Like we mentioned, your adductors play a big role in stabilizing your pelvis.
This can put a lot of stress on those helpers, and ultimately up your chances of injury there.
Youll also improve your ability to stay safely balanced as you move about daily life and participate in sports.
Whats the best way to work your inner thighs?
(Otherwise, your knees would collapse inward.)
For bonus inner thigh activation in that wide stance, angle your toes slightly out, Pieroni says.
But when those feet point out?
How should you best work adductor exercises into your strength training routine?
Here are some adductor exercises to try.
Need some inspo to finally work your inner thighs?
Make it harder by holding a weight with both hands.
Make it harder by holding a dumbbell in each hand.
It works well as a warm-up before those standing single-leg exercises we mentioned.
Pilates Criss-Cross
This bodyweight exercise works your inner thighs while also challenging your core and hip flexors.
Make it easier by ditching the dumbbells and performing reps with just your bodyweight.
Make it harder by wearing ankle weights, Dr. Betiku says.
Using a barbell is pretty advancedmake it less intense by using dumbbells or kettlebells instead.
Youll feel your adductors firing up every time you jump your legs together.
This activates more of your inner-thigh muscles along with other hip muscles too, Dr. Betiku says.
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