10 Adductor Exercises For The Gym Machine: Strengthen Your Inner Thighs

Why Focus on Adductor Exercises?

If you’re looking to strengthen your inner thighs and improve your overall lower body stability, adductor exercises are a must. These exercises specifically target the muscles in your inner thighs, helping to improve your hip flexibility, balance, and power. Incorporating adductor exercises into your gym routine can also help prevent injuries and enhance your performance in other exercises such as squats and deadlifts.

1. Seated Adductor Machine

The seated adductor machine is a classic exercise that targets the adductor muscles. Sit on the machine with your knees bent at a 90-degree angle and place your legs against the pads. Press your legs outwards against the resistance, focusing on squeezing your inner thighs. Slowly return to the starting position and repeat for the desired number of reps.

2. Standing Cable Adductor Kickback

Attach an ankle cuff to a cable machine and stand with your side facing the machine. Place the cuff around your ankle and step away from the machine, keeping tension on the cable. Kick your leg out to the side, focusing on using your inner thigh muscles to perform the movement. Slowly return to the starting position and repeat on the other side.

3. Sumo Squats

Sumo squats are a compound exercise that targets multiple muscles, including the adductors. Stand with your feet wider than shoulder-width apart and toes pointed slightly outwards. Lower your body down into a squat position, focusing on pushing your knees outwards and feeling the stretch in your inner thighs. Push through your heels to return to the starting position.

4. Side Lunges

Side lunges are another great exercise to target the adductor muscles. Stand with your feet hip-width apart and take a big step to the side with your right foot. Lower your body down into a lunge position, keeping your left leg straight. Push off with your right foot to return to the starting position and repeat on the other side.

5. Bulgarian Split Squats

Bulgarian split squats are a challenging exercise that targets the adductors, as well as the glutes and quads. Stand in a split stance with your back foot elevated on a bench or step. Lower your body down into a lunge position, keeping your front knee in line with your toes and your back knee hovering just above the ground. Push through your front heel to return to the starting position and repeat on the other side.

6. Side-lying Leg Lifts

Lie on your side with your legs extended and stacked on top of each other. Lift your top leg as high as you can, focusing on using your inner thigh muscles to perform the movement. Slowly lower your leg back down and repeat on the other side.

7. Pilates Inner Thigh Leg Lifts

Lie on your back with your legs extended and slightly turned out. Lift both legs off the ground and open them out to the sides, maintaining tension in your inner thighs. Slowly bring your legs back together and repeat for the desired number of reps.

8. Wall Squats with a Ball Squeeze

Stand with your back against a wall and place a stability ball between your legs, just above your knees. Lower your body down into a squat position, keeping your back against the wall and squeezing the ball with your inner thighs. Hold for a few seconds and then slowly return to the starting position.

9. Resistance Band Adductor Pulls

Attach a resistance band to a sturdy anchor point and stand with your side facing the anchor. Place the band around your ankles and step away from the anchor, keeping tension on the band. Keeping your legs straight, pull your top leg away from the anchor, focusing on using your inner thigh muscles. Slowly return to the starting position and repeat on the other side.

10. Glute Bridge with Adductor Squeeze

Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground. Lift your hips off the ground, engaging your glutes and core. Place a small ball or pillow between your knees and squeeze your inner thighs together. Hold for a few seconds and then slowly lower your hips back down.

Incorporate these adductor exercises into your gym routine to strengthen your inner thighs and improve your overall lower body stability. Remember to start with lighter weights or resistance and gradually increase as your muscles get stronger. Make sure to maintain proper form and listen to your body to avoid any injuries. Happy strengthening!