Core · Bodyweight
Slight Lean Step Out
How to do the slight lean step out, 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
- Flexion
- Mechanic
- Isolation
How to do it
Stand tall with feet together and a slight lean of your torso to one side. Step one foot out to the side as you let the torso lean a bit further, feeling a stretch and contraction along the side of your waist, then return to the start and repeat. Alternate sides and keep the movement smooth and controlled.
- 1The side of your waist working as you lean and step
- 2A gentle stretch through the obliques on the long side
- 3Your hips and shoulders staying square to the front
Common mistakes
- Bending forward instead of leaning to the side
- Stepping out so far you lose your balance
- Rushing the lean and bouncing at the end of range
Muscles worked
The slight lean step out mainly works the obliques, with the lower back, upper abs, lower abs, glutes, and adductors assisting.
- ObliquesPrimary
- Lower BackSupport
- Upper AbsSupport
- Lower AbsSupport
- GlutesSupport
- AdductorsSupport
- LatsMinor
- QuadsMinor
- HamstringsMinor
- CalvesMinor
- Hip FlexorsMinor
Kovo programs the slight lean step out 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.