Side Hustle: Why Lateral Movements Deserve a Spot in Your Workout 👯‍♀️

When it comes to fitness, most people are stuck in a one-way relationship. It’s all about moving forward: running, cycling, lunging, squatting. Straight lines, straight movements. But here’s the thing—life doesn’t just happen in one direction, and your workouts shouldn’t either.

Enter lateral movements, the unsung heroes of exercise. They’re the sidesteps, shuffles, and hip wiggles that keep you functional, balanced, and injury-free. Let’s break down why moving sideways isn’t just for awkward dance moves at weddings—it’s actually the glow-up your workout routine needs.

The Problem with One-Way Fitness

Picture this: you’ve spent months crushing your forward-focused workouts. Your quads are on point, your hamstrings are humming, and your cardio game is fire. Then one day, you step sideways to grab your phone off the couch, and—pop! Hello, knee pain.

Here’s the deal: life is messy and unpredictable. You twist, turn, and sidestep all day without even realizing it. By ignoring lateral movements, you’re basically training to be good at running in a straight line—great if you’re a robot, not so much if you’re a human trying to avoid tripping over your dog.

Why Lateral Movements Are the MVP

1. They Keep You Functional AF

Lateral exercises strengthen your hips, glutes, and stabilizers—muscles that don’t get enough love from forward-focused workouts. These muscles are your body’s shock absorbers, protecting your knees and lower back when you step off a curb or dodge that rogue grocery cart in the parking lot.

2. They Prevent Injuries

Most injuries happen in unexpected, sideways motions—think ankle rolls or knee tweaks. Training laterally helps prepare your body for these moments, so you’re less likely to end up sidelined by something ridiculous, like turning too quickly to grab your coffee.

3. They Boost Athletic Performance

Want to cut like a pro on the basketball court or fake out your friends in a game of pickleball? Lateral training improves agility, coordination, and overall badassery in sports and life.

4. They Improve Balance

Your balance isn’t just about standing on one leg; it’s about how well you control movement in all directions. Lateral exercises train your body to stay stable and graceful, even when the world (or your toddler) throws you a curveball.

Lateral Moves You Need in Your Life

Not sure where to start? Try these boss-level lateral exercises to spice up your routine:

• Side Lunges: Strengthen your glutes, quads, and adductors while pretending you’re avoiding puddles on the sidewalk.

• Lateral Band Walks: Strap on a resistance band, shuffle side to side, and feel your hips burn in the best way possible.

• Cossack Squats: A deep side lunge variation that will humble you—and your mobility.

• Skater Jumps: Channel your inner speed skater and hop side to side for cardio and coordination.

• Lateral Step-Ups: Step sideways onto a bench or platform to fire up your glutes and test your balance.

The Sideways Revolution

Adding lateral movements to your workouts isn’t just about avoiding injury or looking good at your next intramural game. It’s about training your body to handle life. Whether you’re chasing after kids, navigating crowded subway platforms, or dodging that one coworker who never stops talking, lateral training has your back (and your sides).

So, stop thinking of your workouts as a straight-line journey and start embracing the sideways hustle. Because life isn’t a treadmill—it’s a dance floor, and the best moves always happen in unexpected directions.

Link to my at-home or gym programs incorporating the movements to keep the unexpected at bay.