Single Leg Barbell RDL

The single leg barbell RDL is a powerful posterior chain exercise that builds glute and hamstring strength through the eccentric range of motion while developing the hip stability needed for athletic performance. Learn proper form, muscles worked, and programming recommendations for adding this single leg hinging variation to your training. Using a barbell allows you to load the single leg RDL more aggressively than dumbbells or kettlebells, making it an ideal progression for serious strength athletes.

Band Resisted Hip Airplane

The band resisted hip airplane uses a light to moderate resistance band to drive the hip into a deep posterior hip capsule stretch, helping athletes and lifters access greater range of motion than bodyweight alone allows. Learn how to set up and perform this hip mobility drill to improve glute activation, open up tight hips, and build a more effective warm-up before squats, deadlifts, and athletic training. This exercise is a staple in mobility and corrective programming at THIRST Gym for anyone looking to move and feel better in the gym and on the field.

Heels Elevated Hatfield Bulgarian Split Squat

The heels elevated Hatfield Bulgarian split squat is a quad-dominant single-leg exercise that uses a safety squat bar and hand support to maximize lower body loading and eliminate balance as a limiting factor. Learn how to set up and perform this powerful Bulgarian split squat variation, including the muscles worked and the best programming strategies for strength and hypertrophy. Whether you’re training for powerlifting, athletics, or general lower body size and strength, this exercise is one of the most effective tools you can add to your leg day.

Hatfield Bulgarian Split Squat

The Hatfield Bulgarian split squat combines the safety squat bar with a fixed support to remove balance from the equation and allow maximum lower body loading. Learn proper setup, technique, muscles worked, and how to program this powerful single-leg exercise for both strength and hypertrophy. Whether you’re an athlete or a lifter chasing bigger legs, this variation belongs in your training program.

Single Leg Hip Flexor Plank With Hamstring Feedback

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.

Band Assisted Split Squat Jumps

The band assisted split squat jump is a highly effective unilateral plyometric exercise for developing single-leg power, rate of force development, and reactive strength in athletes. Using a resistance band and pull-up bar, athletes can train two distinct power qualities — reactive bounding or dead stop explosiveness — with just three to five reps per side. Learn proper setup, execution, and programming recommendations for this tool from THIRST Gym’s exercise index.

Off-Set KB Lateral Lunge With Slider

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.

Unsupported Hip Airplane

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.

High Knees To Stick

The high knees to stick drill is a beginner-friendly speed development exercise that teaches athletes proper knee drive, arm mechanics, and sprint technique through deliberate, position-focused repetition. By pausing at the top of each movement pattern, athletes learn to feel and replicate the 90/90 position that drives efficient acceleration mechanics. Add this drill to your speed training warm-up to build faster, more powerful athletes from the ground up.

Copenhagen Side Plank March

The Copenhagen side plank march builds adductor strength, lateral core stability, and hip flexor endurance in a single challenging movement. This progression of the standard Copenhagen plank adds a marching component that increases trunk stability demands while maintaining isometric loading through the top leg adductors. Learn proper setup, technique, and programming recommendations to effectively incorporate this exercise into your strength and conditioning routine.