Various studies have looked at the efficacy of the side step exercise and its many variations such as the monster walk in terms of gluteal activation. All of these exercises have found relatively high gluteal action, making them a staple in many corrective exercise programs. There are many ways to progress the sidestep, but one of the simplest ways is to change the band position. The lower down the chain it goes, the larger the lever arm and thus the harder the exercise. . Around knees = EASIEST . Around ankle = HARDER. The lever arm creates a normal amount of torque at the knees for everyone who is concerned about it being too much to handle. We put more stress on our lateral ligaments during everyday functional tasks than the amount a band will place on the knees. Of course, if someone has something like an LCL sprain don't place the band at the ankle, but for everyone else it is 100% fine! . Around foot = HARDEST. Get some extra peroneal and lateral ankle muscle activation. Try to keep your Toes pointed forward the whole time, don't let them point in! . Cue 1: DON'T LET TENSION OUT OF THE BAND. Keep constant tension on the band during the whole exercise. The moment you lose tension, you lose that extra gluteal activation you're trying to get in the first place by incorporating the band. Also, the band is often more of a neuromuscular facilitator than something that will actually add any load or demand to the exercise, so losing tension means you’ve just lost that tactile cue. . Cue 2: KEEP YOUR HIPS LEVEL. People love to cheat and use their quadratus lumborum and other trunk muscles during this exercise. Look at yourself in the mirror: does your pelvis move while doing this? It shouldn't move at all. If you feel pain or stress in your low back while doing this exercise, you're doing it wrong.
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