<!--paging_filter--><!--paging_filter--><!--paging_filter-->Stand on your right foot, keeping it flat on the ground throughout the exercise. Keep your left leg straight and extend it in front of you. Drop as low as you can into a squat. If your right knee moves to the inside of your right big toe, then you likely have tight adductors (inner thigh muscles) and weak abductors (muscles that pull your leg outward), including your gluteus medius (a buttocks muscle that helps keep you stable during single-leg movements). Perform the test on your left foot as well.

Ski Symptoms

An upper body that follows your ski tips into the turn rather than facing down the hill. If your inner thighs are tight, your legs can’t angulate without your upper body twisting. This puts you at risk for ACL injuries and poor balance and alignment.

The Solution

Strengthen your abductors (pictured above). Stand on your left foot, holding your right foot just off the floor behind you. Shift your right hip up so that it’s higher than your left hip. Hold for five seconds. Do six reps. Repeat on the right foot.

Stretch your adductors. From standing, take a large step sideways with your right foot. Align your right and left heels, and turn your right foot out 90 degrees. Keep both legs straight, and tilt your torso to the right. Slide your right hand down your shin, but don’t put any weight on it; lift your left hand toward the ceiling, palm facing forward. Shift your pelvis backward slightly until you feel a stretch in your inner left thigh. Hold for 20 seconds. Do three reps on each side.

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