Core · Bodyweight
Side Plank Leg Lift
How to do the side plank leg lift, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Bodyweight
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Logged as
- Weighted reps
- Movement
- Core Hold
- Mechanic
- Accessory
How to do it
Set up in a side plank on forearm or hand with body in a straight line. Lift the top leg and lower with control while keeping hips stacked.
- 1Feel your obliques and glute med working to keep hips lifted as the top leg moves
- 2Keep your core tight and body long
- 3Lift and lower the leg without losing alignment
Common mistakes
- Don't let the hips sag or rotate
- Avoid swinging the leg or twisting the torso
- Don't hold your breath; breathe steadily
Muscles worked
The side plank leg lift mainly works the obliques, with the upper abs, lower abs, glutes, and side delts assisting.
- ObliquesPrimary
- Upper AbsSupport
- Lower AbsSupport
- GlutesSupport
- Side DeltsSupport
Kovo programs the side plank leg lift for you and tracks it every session.
We build your whole program, drop the right lifts into each workout, and adjust your weights as you get stronger. Free on iOS and Android.
More abs & core exercises
- How to do the ab wheel rollout
- How to do the ankle tap plank
- How to do the ankle taps
- How to do the resistance band dead bugs
- How to do the resistance band pallof press
- How to do the rollout
Last reviewed April 2026.