Standing rack-supported hip CARs are a simple, effective hip mobility drill that uses controlled articular rotations to unlock your hip’s full range of motion — flexion, extension, and rotation. Learn how to perform this versatile mobility exercise, the common mistakes to avoid, and how to program it as a warm-up or mobility filler for squats, deadlifts, wrestling, and athletic performance.
The lateral lunge with plate reach is one of the best teaching exercises for building frontal-plane movement, hip control, and clean lateral mechanics. Learn how the plate counterbalance unlocks proper depth, why a light 5–10 lb plate beats going heavy, and how to coach foot position, knee tracking, and programming for athletes and general fitness clients alike. A simple, low-cost drill that lays the foundation for goblet and sandbag lateral lunge progressions.
The double kettlebell front rack reverse lunge is a single-leg strength exercise that builds leg power while demanding serious core stability, upper-back strength, and hip mobility. Learn proper technique, why the front rack position makes it tougher and more complete than a standard reverse lunge, and how to program it for wrestlers, powerlifters, and general fitness clients alike.
The split stance cable lift builds rotational power, core stability, and hip mobility in a single athletic movement, making it one of the most versatile exercises for developing change of direction strength. Brandon Smitley breaks down the setup, the “into the cut” versus “out of the cut” variations, and programming recommendations for athletes, combat sports competitors, and general fitness clients alike.
The split stance cable lift is an underrated rotational core exercise that builds anti-rotation strength, hip stability, and change of direction performance for athletes, powerlifters, and combat sports competitors. Learn how to set up the lift with a cable machine and lift and chop strap, when to choose each foot position variation, and how to program it for serious carryover to sport and the platform.
The sandbag shoulder carry is one of the most effective loaded carry variations for building lateral trunk stability, oblique strength, hip mobility, and conditioning for powerlifters, combat sport athletes, and general fitness clients. Learn how to perform the sandbag shoulder carry with proper form, why it works as an anti-lateral flexion core exercise, and how to program it for both strength and conditioning blocks at THIRST Gym.
The crossbody cable kickstand RDL is one of the most effective loaded mobility exercises you can add to your training for improving posterior hip capsule mobility and glute strength at the same time. Using a low cable and a kickstand stance, this exercise uses a cross-body pull to drive hip rotation through the hinge pattern, making it ideal for athletes and lifters who struggle with hip stiffness or limited range of motion. Whether you use it as a pre-training warm-up, an accessory movement, or a recovery day drill, this variation delivers real results for your hips and your posterior chain.
The single leg hip flexor plank with hamstring feedback is a powerful isometric exercise that simultaneously strengthens the hip flexors and hamstrings while correcting pelvic alignment and improving overall hip mobility. By leveraging the functional relationship between the hamstrings and pelvis, this movement addresses anterior pelvic tilt, builds deep hip stability, and integrates core activation in a single drill. Add it to your warm-up before squats or deadlifts, use it on recovery days, or plug it in as a filler between heavy sets to maximize hip health and athletic performance.
The offset kettlebell lateral lunge with slider is a powerful adductor strengthening exercise that trains the groin through a long range of motion while also developing glute and hamstring strength in the planted leg. Using an offset kettlebell load combined with a furniture slider, this frontal plane movement builds the lateral hip strength and groin resilience essential for athletes and general fitness clients alike. Learn proper setup, technique, and programming recommendations for this effective lower body exercise from Brandon Smitley at THIRST Gym.
The unsupported hip airplane is a progression of the classic hip airplane drill that builds hip mobility, glute activation, and single-leg stability simultaneously, making it one of the most effective dynamic warm-up exercises for athletes and lifters. By removing external support, this variation forces your foot, ankle, and deep hip stabilizers to work in coordination while your hip rotates through its full range of motion. Add five to ten reps per side before squats, deadlifts, or any athletic activity to prime your hips and feel the difference immediately.