Core · Bodyweight
Side Punch with Opposite Leg Lift
How to do the side punch with opposite 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
- Reps
- Movement
- Rotation
- Mechanic
- Compound
How to do it
Stand tall with your fists up near your chin. Punch one arm across your body to the side while lifting the opposite knee up and out toward that same side. Return to the start and alternate, building a steady rhythm and keeping your core tight as you twist.
- 1Feel your obliques fire as you rotate the punch toward the lifted knee
- 2Keep your standing leg strong and balanced on each rep
- 3Brace your core so the twist comes from your trunk
Common mistakes
- Do not let your lower back overarch as the knee lifts
- Avoid swinging the arm loosely; punch with control
- Do not rush and lose your balance on the stance leg
Muscles worked
The side punch with opposite leg lift mainly works the obliques, with the lower abs, hip flexors, upper abs, glutes, and front delts assisting.
- ObliquesPrimary
- Lower AbsSupport
- Hip FlexorsSupport
- Upper AbsSupport
- GlutesSupport
- Front DeltsSupport
- TricepsMinor
- QuadsMinor
- CalvesMinor
- Side DeltsMinor
Kovo programs the side punch with opposite 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 June 2026.