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High Knees: Benefits, Muscles Worked, and How-To

Variations on high knees

High knees exercise is effective and also requires equipment that makes it easy to include in a variety of fitness routines.

Nevertheless, trying a variation of this old-school move can help stave off boredom, increase the challenge, or in some cases, decrease the intensity to make the move more accessible. Here are some variations of high knees.

Increase the intensity

To increase the intensity of the traditional high knees exercise, simply lift your knees higher, move at a faster pace, or increase the duration or number of sets. To start, add 10–15 seconds to each set, or add one set each time you do high knees.

You can also drive your knees up higher and faster, just make sure to maintain proper form. Alternatively, you could add a twist as you drive your knee up toward your chest. This targets the oblique muscles.