Full Kneeling Pallof Press

The Full Kneeling Pallof Press is an anti-rotation core exercise performed on both knees that challenges your stability by resisting lateral tension. It isolates the deep abdominal muscles and glutes while removing assistance from the lower legs, making it highly effective for improving posture and spinal health.

How Iridium Programs This

Iridium relies on RPE feedback rather than 1RM estimates to drive progressive overload here, as standard strength formulas apply poorly to isometric holds. The algorithm tracks volume specifically against your oblique recovery status to ensure stability work does not exceed your Maximum Recoverable Volume. Additionally, Iridium reviews your 7-day workout history to prevent this accessory work from interfering with recovery for heavy compound lifts.

Form Cues

Do
  • Squeeze your glutes hard to push your hips forward
  • Exhale sharply as you press the handle away
  • Keep your hands directly in line with your sternum
  • Maintain a tall, vertical spine throughout the set
  • Pause for a distinct second at full extension
Don't
  • Don't let the cable pull your torso toward the machine
  • Don't sit back onto your heels; stay tall
  • Don't shrug your shoulders up toward your ears
  • Don't rely on momentum to push the weight out

Common Mistakes

  • Leaning the torso away from the anchor point
  • Allowing the hips to rotate or twist
  • Relaxing the glutes and overarching the lower back
  • Rushing the tempo and missing the isometric hold
  • Positioning the knees too wide for stability

Muscles Worked

This exercise primarily targets the obliques and transverse abdominis, acting as a 'brace' to protect the spine against rotational forces. By performing this in a tall kneeling position, you also heavily engage the glutes to maintain hip extension, ensuring your core stability connects effectively to your lower body.

Primary

General Core

Secondary

ObliquesAnterior Deltoid

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