A certified trainer says this one move will boost your hip mobility and lower-body strength

A woman in a gym performs a reverse lunge using a step platform. She wears leggings, a sports bra and sneakers. Her knees are bent, with her right foot resting on the platform in front of her and her left foot behind Her hands rest on her hips as she looks forward; behind her we see various gym machinery.

I love it when I can tick off more than one box with one exercise. So when I discovered this kettlebell step-up move from certified trainer Hallie Kazda—which boosts mobility, strength and coordination—I knew I was onto a winner.

The movement expert, known as Kettlebell Mama online, explains in her video: "Getting our bodies to move in all planes of motion is important for joint health, stability and muscle gains, too! The way this move engages your hips in its 360° capacity is a game changer for your leg day workout."

As the move challenges your coordination, it will boost your mind-muscle connection, strengthening the connection between your brain and muscles. Scroll down to see how to do it.

How to do Hallie Kazda’s workout:

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You’ll need an elevated surface to perform the move. Kazda also uses a kettlebell to make the move more difficult and boost strength gains.

• Stand on one leg on an elevated surface, like a step platform. Hold a weight in the opposite hand.
• Lower the other leg behind you until your toes tap the floor.
• Push through your standing leg to return to the starting position, then lower the elevated leg to the other side.

This exercise targets the quads and hamstrings (front and back thigh muscles) glutes (found in your buttocks) and adductors (located on your inner thigh). All of these play an important role in your knee and hip health.

Why it’s important to train in all planes of motion

The body can move in three planes: sagittal (forwards and backward), transverse (rotating and twisting) and coronal or frontal (side to side).

We mostly move in the sagittal plane, often neglecting to strengthen the muscles in the other movement patterns (transverse and frontal). This can limit our range of motion (ROM), which can lead to instability, injury and chronic pain.

Strength training in all three planes of motion will help you avoid this. It also creates greater body awareness and can improve balance, coordination and agility, leading to more balanced muscle development.

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Want more routines that can boost your joint health? Try these hip-strengthening exercises, which can undo the damage of sitting.