How to do a Fire Hydrant Circle
Reviewed by Jim Parker, CPT, B.A. Kinesiology
Workouts with Fire Hydrant Circle
Instructions for Proper Form
This bodyweight exercise primarily targets the muscles in and around your hips, as well as your glutes. By performing this exercise with one side at a time, you can more easily identify and address imbalances between sides.
- Kneel on the ground such that your hands are under your shoulders and your knees are under your hips.
- Engage your glutes and hamstrings to raise one leg up and back while maintain roughly a 90-degree bend in your knee.
- Engage the muscles in your hip to rotate your leg out to your side such that your inner thigh is parallel and facing the floor.
- Slowly allow your leg to descend back to the starting position while maintaining tension in your hips.
- Maintain good posture by keeping your core engaged for stability, your back straight and a 90-degree bend in your knees.
- You should feel this exercise primarily in your hips and glutes.
Sets & Reps Calculator
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Alternatives & Variations to Fire Hydrant Circle
1. Machine Hip Abductor
96.7 mSCORESWAPPED 495 TIMESThis isolation exercise primarily targets your abductors. The use of a machine helps you move the weight along a set path, as well as adding stability to the movement. This stability allows you to focus more on exertion than stabilizing the movement.
2. Side Leg Raises
34.3 mSCORESWAPPED 408 TIMESA bodyweight isolation exercise targeting the hip abductors. By isolating each side you can more easily identify imbalances in strength and mobility, as well as correct for these imbalances. Side leg raises enhance hip stability, contributing to better overall lower body strength and function.
3. Cable Hip Abduction
28.8 mSCORESWAPPED 231 TIMESCable Hip Abduction is an isolation exercise that primarily targets the glutes and hip abductors. By using a cable machine, you can maintain consistent tension on the muscles throughout the range of motion, leading to effective muscle activation. This exercise is great for improving hip stability and strength, which can translate to better performance in compound lower body exercises and enhance overall balance.
4. Standing Hip Abduction
70.2 mSCORESWAPPED 188 TIMESStanding Hip Abduction is an isolation exercise that primarily targets the outer thighs and hip muscles, particularly the gluteus medius. By performing this exercise while standing, you engage stabilizing muscles in your core and leg, improving overall balance and stability. This variation allows you to work on functional strength and can be particularly beneficial for those looking to enhance their hip mobility.
- Intermediate
- Abductors
5. Clam
43.8 mSCORESWAPPED 170 TIMESThis bodyweight isolation exercise primarily targets your hip abductors. By targeting each side individually you can more easily identify and address imbalances between sides. This an effective exercise for improving lower body strength and stability.
6. Dumbbell Fire Hydrant Circle
55.1 mSCORESWAPPED 120 TIMESThis exercise is a more challenging variation of the fire hydrant exercise using dumbbells for added resistance. The exercise primarily targets the muscles in and around your hip. By targeting each side individually, you can better identify and address imbalances between sides.
7. Mini Loop Band Lateral Walk
50.8 mSCORESWAPPED 99 TIMESA functional exercise using a mini loop band to primarily target the hip abductors and glutes. By placing the bands around the legs just above the knees, it challenges lateral stability and strengthens the muscles responsible for hip abduction. This exercise is excellent for improving hip mobility, and enhancing overall lower body strength.
8. Mini Loop Band Fire Hydrant Circle
52.1 mSCORESWAPPED 81 TIMESThis exercise is a more challenging variation of fire hydrant circles. It primarily targets the muscles in and around your hips. This movement enhances hip mobility, strengthens the glutes, and improves overall lower body stability and function.
9. Mini Loop Band Side-Lying Clam
43 mSCORESWAPPED 61 TIMESA variation of the clam exercise using a mini loop resistance band. Using a mini loop band allows you to increase resistance beyond just your bodyweight. This is a great exercise for improving hip stability.
10. Mini Loop Band Fire Hydrant
47.8 mSCORESWAPPED 59 TIMESThis is an isolation movement that targets your glutes. The exercise involves kneeling on all fours, and raising one leg out and up against the resistance of a mini loop band. The use of a mini loop band helps to add resistance to this exercise, especially at the end of your range of motion.