Exercise guide
Standing Front Leg Lift Cross Toe Touches Side Bend
- Beginner
- Compound
- Rep-based
- Lower legs
- Waist
This dynamic movement combines hip flexion with spinal rotation to target the lower abs, obliques, and quadriceps. It is an effective functional exercise for improving balance and core stability while standing.
Reviewed by the Crucible team · Updated June 2026
Muscles worked
Setup
- Stand with your feet hip-width apart and your arms extended straight out to the sides at shoulder level.
- Engage your core and stand tall with your shoulders pulled back and down.
- Maintain a soft bend in your knees to provide a stable base.
How to do it
- Lift your right leg straight forward while rotating and slightly bending your torso to reach your left hand toward your right foot.
- Exhale forcefully as you reach the peak of the contraction, squeezing your obliques and abdominals.
- Inhale as you return to the neutral standing position with control, lowering the leg and resetting your arms.
- Repeat the movement on the opposite side, lifting the left leg and reaching with the right hand, alternating sides for the duration of the set.
Form checklist
- Keep your lifted leg as straight as possible to fully engage the quadriceps.
- Ensure the rotation comes from the waist rather than just swinging the arm across the body.
- Avoid leaning too far backward as you lift the leg; keep your weight centered over the standing foot.
- Control the descent of the leg to maximize time under tension for the hip flexors and abs.
Pro tips
- Squeeze your quadriceps at the top of the lift to assist the hip flexors and stabilize the leg in the air.
- Focus on the mind-muscle connection by visualizing your ribcage moving toward your opposite hip during the reach.
Make it harder
- Add ankle weights to increase the resistance for the quadriceps and lower abdominals.
- Perform the movement while holding a light dumbbell or medicine ball with both hands to increase the rotational load.
Frequently asked
- What muscles does the standing front leg lift cross toe touches side bend work?
- The standing front leg lift cross toe touches side bend primarily targets the abs and obliques, and also works the glutes as secondary muscles.
- What equipment do you need for the standing front leg lift cross toe touches side bend?
- The standing front leg lift cross toe touches side bend requires no equipment — just your body weight.
- Is the standing front leg lift cross toe touches side bend good for beginners?
- Yes. The standing front leg lift cross toe touches side bend is a beginner-friendly movement and a strong foundation to build on.