Cable hip abduction

Name: Cable hip abduction exercise demonstration
Uploaded: 2026-09-13
Duration: PT6.57S
Description: Cable hip abduction is a standing exercise in which an ankle cuff connects your outer leg to a low pulley. You move that leg sideways while holding the machine for balance. This guide covers the upright version with the toes facing forward.

Also called standing cable hip abduction, cable lateral leg raise.

What is a cable hip abduction?

Cable hip abduction is a standing exercise in which an ankle cuff connects your outer leg to a low pulley. You move that leg sideways while holding the machine for balance. This guide covers the upright version with the toes facing forward.

Two front-oblique views of a woman holding a cable machine, first with the cuffed leg near the standing leg, then lifted sideways. The outer hip and upper outer thigh are shaded red.

How do you perform a cable hip abduction?

Set up

Fasten an ankle cuff to the low pulley. Stand side-on with the cuff on the leg farther from the machine and use the frame for balance.
Step out until the cable is taut and plant the support foot, leaving the cuffed foot free to move.

Execution

Move the cuffed leg sideways away from the machine while keeping the pelvis facing forward and the knee nearly straight.
End the lift before your trunk has to lean or the pelvis hikes up.
Bring the foot back beside, or just in front of, the planted leg with control. Finish that side, then turn around and change the cuff.

Common mistakes

Rocking the body to lift the stack
Reduce the load or shorten the lift until the leg can move while the trunk stays quiet.
Letting the cable pull the support foot around
Reset your stance and hold the frame before continuing. The planted foot should stay in place.
Turning the movement into a kickback
Send the thigh sideways, rather than sweeping it behind you.

Where it fits in a session

Use it as a one-leg-at-a-time accessory in your lower-body session.

Start with a light stack setting and repeat the same controlled range before adding weight. Record the stack setting and repetitions for each side.

Muscles worked

Front

Back

Primary

Secondary

None listed in this guide

Schematic surface view. Some muscles are partly visible or not shown.

The gluteus medius is one of the hip abductors trained by this movement. The gluteus minimus also contributes.

Variations

Hip abduction machineUses a seated machine with pads against the outer legs.
Cable glute kickbackMoves the thigh backward instead of sideways.

Frequently asked questions

Which muscles does cable hip abduction work?

It trains the hip abductors, including the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus.

Which ankle gets the cuff?

For the version shown, fasten the cuff to the ankle farther from the pulley. The cable runs across the front of the support leg.

How high should I lift my leg?

Stop before you have to lean or lift one side of the pelvis. Keep the range repeatable instead of aiming for a particular height.

Do I double the weight when logging both legs?

Record the stack setting once and the repetitions completed by each leg. Keep that convention consistent across workouts.