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  5. Legs
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  7. Resistance Band Standing Balance Bent Leg Hip Abd

Exercise guide

Resistance Band Standing Balance Bent Leg Hip Abd

  • Intermediate
  • Isolation
  • Rep-based
  • Hips
  • Lower legs

This exercise targets the gluteus medius and obliques by combining lateral hip abduction with a significant stability challenge. It is highly effective for improving hip joint stability and lateral core strength through unilateral tension.

Reviewed by the Crucible Fit team · Updated June 2026

Watch the Resistance Band Standing Balance Bent Leg Hip Abd demonstrationVideo and instructions for every movement are in the Crucible Fit app.

Muscles worked

Primary

  • Glutes
  • Obliques

Secondary

  • Abs
  • Hip flexors
  • Quadriceps

Equipment

  • Resistance band

Setup

  1. Place a mini-band just above your knees.
  2. Stand tall with feet hip-width apart and find a focal point in front of you for balance.
  3. Shift your weight onto the standing leg, keeping a slight 'soft' bend in that knee.
  4. Lift the working leg off the floor and bend the knee to a 90-degree angle, keeping the thigh vertical.

How to do it

  1. Exhale as you drive the working knee out to the side (abduction) while maintaining the 90-degree bend in the leg.
  2. Lift the leg only as far as you can without tilting your pelvis or leaning your torso.
  3. Inhale as you slowly return the leg to the starting position, maintaining tension on the band.
  4. Perform the movement at a controlled 2-1-2 tempo (2 seconds out, 1 second pause, 2 seconds in).

Form checklist

  • Keep your torso upright; do not lean toward the standing leg to compensate.
  • Ensure the standing knee remains tracked over the toes and does not cave inward.
  • Keep your hips square to the front throughout the entire set.
  • Maintain a neutral spine and engaged core to stabilize the pelvis.

Pro tips

  • Think about 'pushing' the floor away with your standing foot to maximize glute activation on both sides.
  • Focus on the mind-muscle connection in the obliques of the standing side to prevent the hip from 'hiking' upward.

Make it harder

  • Move the resistance band down to the ankles to increase the lever arm and resistance.
  • Perform the exercise while standing on an unstable surface, like a foam pad or BOSU ball.

Frequently asked

What muscles does the resistance band standing balance bent leg hip abd work?
The resistance band standing balance bent leg hip abd primarily targets the glutes and obliques, and also works the abs, hip flexors, and quadriceps as secondary muscles.
What equipment do you need for the resistance band standing balance bent leg hip abd?
The resistance band standing balance bent leg hip abd uses resistance band.
Is the resistance band standing balance bent leg hip abd good for beginners?
The resistance band standing balance bent leg hip abd is rated intermediate. Build a base with simpler variations first, then progress to it with light load and strict form.

Related exercises

  • Kettlebell Lunge With TwistIntermediate · abs, glutes, hamstrings, obliques, and quadriceps
  • Lying Split AbductorBeginner · abs, glutes, and obliques
  • Resistance Band Standing Balance Hip AbductionIntermediate · glutes and obliques
  • Sitting Lotus Pose Hip Horizontal RotationIntermediate · abs, adductors, glutes, hip flexors, and obliques

Train it with Crucible Fit.

Every movement in this library is in the app with video and instructions, ready for your own sessions on the days between Crucibles. Your first Crucible is on us.

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