Squats are great for building muscle and boosting mobility but doing endless rounds of them can be a bit boring. And while a classic squat will strengthen your main thigh muscles and glutes, it might not target your inner-thigh muscles (adductors) to the same degree.
Renowned yoga and Pilates instructor Kristin McGee has developed a go-to inner thigh workout that blends Pilates and barre exercises to target the adductors and boost hip health.
A trained dancer from a young age, Kristin first developed this sequence to improve her turnout technique and has continued to incorporate it into her fitness routine over the years.
"I used to do this a lot as a dance and theater major," said McGee. "I would see it as a supplementary workout or to add in the middle of a yoga or Pilates class."
How to do the routine
McGee recommends completing 10-12 repetitions of each movement, with the exception of the criss-cross/ beats exercise. For this one, she suggests aiming for 20 repetitions with pointed toes and 20 repetitions with heels flexed.
Aim for two or three rounds overall. You can do it as a standalone session or tag it onto the end of a beginner's bodyweight workout.
Benefits of this workout
This workout alternates between ballet-inspired plié and straddle movements, incorporating both internal and external rotation of the hips. It also boosts inner thigh strength with bodyweight resistance exercises. Cultivating inner thigh strength is important for supporting our hips and knees as they facilitate movement in these joints.
Another benefit of this workout is that it’s widely accessible. The movements are approached from a reclined position, meaning you can complete these exercises in bed first thing in the morning or before you go to sleep. If you want to increase the challenge, add ankle weights for a deeper inner thigh burn.
