Having wide hips is no longer looked at as such a bad thing. In fact, it has become quite the fashion statement in the entertainment industry over the years. Boosting this part of the anatomy takes dedicated effort and the right mix of exercises. The hip abductor muscles need to be the primary focus in your routines. To get the best bang for your buck, include external resistance.
Side Step Ups
Side step ups work the glutes and quadriceps, and they require a sturdy chair. Begin by placing the chair next to a wall and stand with your right shoulder facing it. After placing your hands on your hips, step onto the chair with your right foot. Steadily press down to lift your body in the air and hold for a second. Let your left leg hang in the air while you balance. Slowly lower yourself back down, repeat for a set of 15 reps and switch sides. To increase the resistance, wear a weighted vest, hold a medicine ball in front of your body, or hold dumbbells at your sides.
Lateral Lunges
A lateral lunge is similar to a side step up, except you do it on the floor. This exercise works the hips and inner thighs at the same time. Start out in a shoulder-width stance and hold a dumbbell vertically between your thighs. Keeping your back straight and core tight, take a long step out to your right side. Slowly lower yourself down by bending your right knee and push your butt backward. Make sure your knee does not move past your ankle laterally. Slowly rise up and step back to the starting point. Repeat with your other side and continue to alternate back and forth.
Lying Weighted Hip Abduction
A lying hip abduction exercise takes place from a side-lying position. Begin on your right side with your right leg back slightly and left leg forward. While keeping your head propped up with your right hand, hold a dumbbell on top of your left thigh with your left hand. Steadily raise your leg in the air as high as possible and slowly lower it back down. Once your leg is just above the floor, repeat the movement. Finish a set of reps and switch sides. When doing this exercise keep your leg as straight as possible.
Cable Abduction
Cable abduction works the hip area from a standing position. Before you start, fasten an ankle strap to your lower left leg and to a low setting on one side of a cable machine. Now stand with your right shoulder facing the weight stack and place your hands on your hips. Lift your left foot off the floor and move your leg to the front of your body. Steadily raise your leg in the air to your left side and slowly sweep it down in front of your body. Repeat for a set of reps and switch sides. If you lose your balance, place one hand on the upright support of the machine.
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