Fire Hydrants: Video Tutorial & Exercise Guide

Author Claude Michael

Written By: Claude Michael

Updated: Oct 13, 2024

Workout Fire Hydrants
Primary Muscle Group Glutes
Secondary Muscle Group Abductors
Equipment Required Bodyweight
Force Type N/A
Mechanics Compound
Exercise Type Strength
Difficulty Beginner

Fire Hydrants: Video Tutorial & Exercise Guide

Muscle Groups

Primary Muscle Group

Glutes Muscle Exercises

Secondary Muscles Group

Fire Hydrants: Step-by-Step Guide

  • Step 1: Start on all fours, with your wrists directly under your shoulders and your knees under your hips.
  • Step 2: Keep your core tight, and lift your right knee out to the side, keeping a 90-degree bend in your leg.
  • Step 3: Raise your knee until it's in line with your hips, keeping your back flat.
  • Step 4: Pause at the top, squeezing your glutes for a second or two.
  • Step 5: Lower your knee back down to the starting position in a controlled motion.
  • Step 6: Repeat the movement on the other side, and continue alternating between legs.

Fire Hydrants: Overview

Fire hydrants are an excellent exercise for targeting your glutes and improving hip mobility. This move works the gluteus medius, an important muscle for stabilizing the hips and improving overall lower body strength. It’s a great addition to any lower body or glute-focused workout.

Fire Hydrants: Benefits

Fire hydrants are perfect for building strength in the glutes, specifically targeting the side glute muscles, which are often underdeveloped. They also enhance hip mobility and improve your overall balance and stability. Incorporating fire hydrants into your routine can help prevent injuries and improve your performance in other lower body exercises.

Fire Hydrants: Pro Tips & Advanced Techniques

Form focus: Keep your core engaged throughout the movement to prevent your back from arching. Slow and controlled movements will give you the best results.

Range of motion: Raise your knee as high as you can without shifting your hips or back. Quality over quantity here.

Added resistance: Once you’re comfortable with bodyweight fire hydrants, consider adding a resistance band around your thighs for extra intensity.

Fire Hydrants: Progression Plan

Beginner

Sets: 3
Reps: 12-15 per side
Progression Tips: Focus on form before adding any resistance. Perform bodyweight fire hydrants to perfect your technique.

Intermediate

Sets: 3-4
Reps: 10-12 per side
Progression Tips: Add a resistance band around your thighs to increase the difficulty and challenge your glutes.

Advanced

Sets: 4
Reps: 8-10 per side
Progression Tips: Use a heavier resistance band or ankle weights to further challenge your glutes and hips.

Fire Hydrants: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What muscles do fire hydrants target?

+

Fire hydrants primarily target the glutes, particularly the gluteus medius, but also engage the core and hips for stability.

How often should I do fire hydrants?

+

Incorporate them into your workout 1-2 times per week, especially on lower body or glute days.

Can I add resistance to fire hydrants?

+

Yes! You can add a resistance band around your thighs or use ankle weights for added intensity.

What common mistakes should I avoid?

+

Avoid letting your hips rotate as you lift your leg. Keep your core tight to maintain stability throughout the movement.

Are fire hydrants good for hip mobility?

+

Yes, fire hydrants help improve hip mobility while strengthening the muscles around your hips and glutes.

Releted Exercises