How to Do Cable Hip Adduction
Start and end of one clean rep of Cable Hip Adduction.
Quick facts
| Primary muscle | Quads |
|---|---|
| Secondary muscles | — |
| Equipment | Cable |
| Category | Strength |
How to perform Cable Hip Adduction
- Stand in front of a low pulley facing forward with one leg next to the pulley and the other one away.
- Attach the ankle cuff to the cable and also to the ankle of the leg that is next to the pulley.
- Now step out and away from the stack with a wide stance and grasp the bar of the pulley system.
- Stand on the foot that does not have the ankle cuff (the far foot) and allow the leg with the cuff to be pulled towards the low pulley. This will be your starting position.
- Now perform the movement by moving the leg with the ankle cuff in front of the far leg by using the inner thighs to abduct the hip. Breathe out during this portion of the movement.
- Slowly return to the starting position as you breathe in.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions and then repeat the same movement with the opposite leg.
Muscles worked
- Quads (primary): extends the knee to drive squats, lunges and jumps.
Sets & reps by goal
| Goal | Sets × reps | Load | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | 3–5 × 3–5 | Heavy (~85%+) | 2–3 min |
| Hypertrophy | 3–4 × 8–12 | Moderate (~65–75%) | 60–90 s |
| Endurance | 2–3 × 15–20 | Lighter (~50–60%) | 30–45 s |
Pick the row that matches your goal. If you're newer, anchor in the hypertrophy range while you groove the form.
Form tips
- Keep the knees tracking in line with the toes and push the whole foot into the floor.
- Keep tension on the cable through the whole range — pause before the stack touches down instead of letting it crash.
- Treat every rep the same — a repeatable setup and bar path is what lets you add weight safely over time.
- Breathe out on the effort and in on the return, keeping one steady rhythm across the set.
Common mistakes
- Letting the knees cave inward as you push out of the bottom.
- Letting the stack yank the working muscle back at the end of each rep.
- Chasing weight jumps before the current load feels solid on every rep.
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does Cable Hip Adduction work?
Cable Hip Adduction is a focused movement that primarily works the quads.
What equipment do I need for Cable Hip Adduction?
Cable Hip Adduction needs a cable station with the right handle attachment.
How many sets and reps should I do for Cable Hip Adduction?
It depends on your goal: about 3–5 sets of 3–5 heavy reps for strength, 3–4 sets of 8–12 for muscle growth, or 2–3 sets of 15–20 for endurance. Pick the row that matches your goal. If you're newer, anchor in the hypertrophy range while you groove the form.
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