Why Lateral Movements Matter

When most people think about exercise, they picture moving forward—running, cycling, or walking. But life (and sport) doesn’t just happen in one direction. That’s where lateral movements—side-to-side motions like lateral lunges, skater hops, and side shuffles—come in.

As a physical therapist, I see firsthand how training in only one plane of motion can lead to muscular imbalances, overuse injuries, and reduced athletic performance. Incorporating lateral strength and stability work helps correct these issues by targeting muscles often neglected in traditional forward-focused workouts—like the glutes, hip abductors, and adductors.

Lateral training improves balance, agility, and joint stability, especially around the hips, knees, and ankles. For runners and athletes, it’s key for injury prevention and power transfer during quick changes of direction. For everyday movers, it builds the kind of stability that makes climbing stairs, pivoting, or catching your balance feel easier and safer.

In short, moving sideways strengthens your body in ways that forward motion alone can’t. So next time you train, step outside the straight line—your joints, muscles, and performance will thank you.