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Strength Training

Fire Hydrant

Beginner

About This Exercise

Hip abductor and glute medius activation. Opens the hips and fires the lateral stabilizers before squat and lunge patterns.

1Setup

Start on all fours. Hands under shoulders, knees under hips. Core braced, back neutral.

2Execution

Keeping the knee bent at 90 degrees, lift one leg out to the side as high as you can without rotating your hips or spine. Pause at the top. Lower with control. Complete all reps, then switch sides.

Pro Tips

  • Keep your hips level — do not tilt toward the working side
  • Squeeze the glute at the top of each rep
  • Control the lowering phase — do not let gravity drop the leg
  • Place a hand on your glute medius to confirm activation

Safety Notes

  • !If you feel this in your lower back, reduce range of motion and focus on glute engagement

Train This Exercise

Quick workout with this exercise

Muscles Worked

Front

Back

Primary

Secondary

Equipment