Frontal plane: Meaning and How to Program It

Frontal plane

Definition

The plane that divides the body into front and back halves, containing every movement that travels side to side.

Also called the coronal plane. Abduction and adduction happen here: lateral raises, lateral lunges, side planks, adductor and abductor machine work, and the sideways step of a crossover.

It is the plane most strength programs skip. Sport does not: a change of direction, a stumble caught on one leg and a bag carried in one hand are all frontal-plane loads, and hip abductor strength is what stops the knee falling inward under them.

Two sets of a lateral lunge and two sets of a suitcase carry, twice a week, is enough for most general clients. Load the carry properly, around a quarter of bodyweight per hand for 30 metres, or it is a warm-up rather than training.

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