Lateral Step-Up

Stand side-on to the box, the near foot on it: press up through that leg until it is straight, lower under control; the side-on angle puts the outer hip to work.

Lateral Step-Up, illustrated

How to do it

Setup

Stand side-on to a knee-height box, the near foot flat on top, hands at the chest.

Steps

  1. Press through the top foot until that leg is straight.
  2. Lower the floor foot under control – it touches lightly, never pushes.
  3. Finish the set on one leg, then switch.

Common mistakes

Pushing off the floor foot: it touches, nothing more. Hip swinging out sideways: the working hip stays over the box. Torso leaning into the box: tall, the outer hip does the work.

Breathing

Exhale stepping up, inhale down.