Inner & Outer Thigh Machines

An inner thigh machine, often called a hip adduction machine, has you squeeze padded levers together against resistance, and a combo frame lets you reverse the motion and press outward for the outer thigh. This collection covers seated combo and single-function machines, standing abductors and home gym add-ons from Muscle D Fitness and Body-Solid. Pick by floor space, by how many people train and by how you prefer to load.

How to choose an inner thigh machine

• Combo seated machines. The Body-Solid Pro Select GIOT-STK handles adduction and abduction from one seated position, with 5 range-of-motion settings, a lumbar-supported adjustable back pad and swiveling knee pads. The Muscle D Vogue Inner/Outer Thigh pairs a contoured seat with a 150 lb steel stack and magnetic selector pin, and the Muscle D Excel Inner/Outer Thigh adds a one-touch pre-stretch range adjuster.
• Dedicated machines. Muscle D's Elite Plus series splits the job. The Elite Plus Inner Thigh runs a 200 lb stack behind translucent shrouds, with a matching Outer Thigh unit and a combo in the same series. Buying the inner and outer units separately keeps both movements open at once on a busy floor.
• Plate-loaded. The Power Leverage V2 Abductor/Adductor trains both directions on a frame built from 11-gauge steel, with plate storage on the machine.
• Standing abductors. These train the outer hip from an upright position. The Muscle D Excel Standing Hip Abductor loads with plates or resistance bands and has a large footplate, and the Vogue Standing Abductor is a pin-selectorized version.
• Add-ons for Body-Solid home gyms. The Body-Solid GIOT9 attachment is built only for the G9S home gym, and the Body-Solid Pro Dual DIOTS is part of the DGYM line, with a 210 lb stack and a pop-in cam that sets your starting position.

Trainer's take: start narrow, then open up

As a certified personal trainer, my first setup step on any thigh machine is the range-of-motion setting. On the inner thigh setting, start with the pads closer together than you think you need, work only as wide as you can manage smoothly, then widen it gradually over several sessions. Sit tall against the back pad and keep your hips still so the legs do the moving.

Use slow reps with a brief pause at the squeeze, around 12 to 15 per set, and program these machines alongside squats, leg presses or hip thrusts rather than as the center of leg day. At home, one combo inner thigh machine covers both directions in a single footprint; the Excel combo, for example, is listed at 60 by 24 inches.

Inner thigh machine FAQ

What machine works inner thighs?

The hip adduction machine, sold as an inner thigh or adductor machine. It trains the adductor muscles, which pull your legs toward the midline of your body.

What is the best exercise machine for inner thighs?

For direct inner thigh work, a seated adduction machine is the most targeted option. Choose a combo inner/outer unit if you want one frame for both directions, or a dedicated machine if several people will use it.

What does the hip adductor machine do?

It resists the motion of bringing your thighs together. The abductor setting does the opposite and resists as you press your knees outward against the pads.

What is the inner thigh machine called?

It usually goes by hip adduction machine or adductor machine. Combo models carry inner/outer thigh or abductor/adductor labels, as with Muscle D's Power Leverage V2 Abductor/Adductor.

Pair thigh work with the rest of the lower body: our glute machines include kickbacks and belt squats, multi-hip machines train several hip directions from one station, and hip thrust machines load the glutes directly. Before you buy, the hip thrust machine buying guide and the strength equipment buying guide help you compare plate-loaded, selectorized and standing designs.