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Exercise guide

Iliotibial Tract-SMR

How to do the Iliotibial Tract-SMR with correct form, the muscles it works, and where it fits a training plan you actually stick to.

IsolationFoam RollIntermediateStatic
Primary muscles

Abductors

Secondary

,

Equipment

Foam Roll

Step by step

How to do the Iliotibial Tract-SMR

  1. 1

    Lay on your side, with the bottom leg placed onto a foam roller between the hip and the knee. The other leg can be crossed in front of you.

  2. 2

    Place as much of your weight as is tolerable onto your bottom leg; there is no need to keep your bottom leg in contact with the ground. Be sure to relax the muscles of the leg you are stretching.

  3. 3

    Roll your leg over the foam from you hip to your knee, pausing for 10-30 seconds at points of tension. Repeat with the opposite leg.

In Ascend

Log it, see it on your body.

Every Iliotibial Tract-SMR set you log feeds Ascend's anatomy heatmap, so your abductors volume is visible at a glance, and counts toward your bodyweight-strength tier.

Train with a goal

Where the Iliotibial Tract-SMR fits

The Iliotibial Tract-SMR shows up in training built around a specific goal. See how it fits:

Related

More abductors exercises

FAQ

Iliotibial Tract-SMR: common questions

What muscles does the Iliotibial Tract-SMR work?

The Iliotibial Tract-SMR primarily works the Abductors.

Is the Iliotibial Tract-SMR suitable for beginners?

The Iliotibial Tract-SMR is an intermediate-level exercise. It's best once you've built a base of general strength and movement control, beginners can work up to it.

What equipment do I need for the Iliotibial Tract-SMR?

To do the Iliotibial Tract-SMR you'll need a foam roller.

Is the Iliotibial Tract-SMR a compound or isolation exercise?

The Iliotibial Tract-SMR is an isolation exercise, it targets the abductors through a single joint, which makes it useful for focused, targeted work.

How do I do the Iliotibial Tract-SMR with correct form?

Lay on your side, with the bottom leg placed onto a foam roller between the hip and the knee. The other leg can be crossed in front of you. Follow the full step-by-step above for the complete movement.

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