Bent leg twists genu valgum issue#1629

So, I’m doing the starting routines and I got to the bent leg twists. I’m overweight and my belly and legs are making it really difficult to do the bends, but also, I suffer from genu valgum and I cannot maintain the twist at all, my feet bend themselves really bad and it hurts while trying to get the form I see in the app.

Is there an alternative that won’t make my feet twist into the inner angle more? I was able to do the previous level quite easily since I’m very flexible, but between my condition and the size of my overweight body, I’m just unable to complete this exercise.

Hey. This is Chrys, one of the trainers at Hybrid.

Hey so I looked up Genu Valgum. I like to let people know im a fitness professional, not a doctor but with that in mind…with genu valgum and extra pressure from bodyweight, bent leg twists can put your feet and knees in a really uncomfortable angle. Instead of forcing that, try swapping in movements that give you the same core and rotational benefit without aggravating your joints. A good option is seated knee drops—sit on the floor with your feet flat and knees bent, then gently let both knees fall side to side while keeping control. This hits the same twisting pattern but with less torque on your knees and ankles. Another alternative is lying windshield wipers with bent knees, keeping the range small so you don’t feel pain. And if you want something standing, standing torso rotations with your feet planted can build rotational strength without the joint stress.

The key is to keep the rotation in your core and hips, not forced through your knees or feet. As your strength and mobility improve, you can slowly work back toward deeper twisting patterns, but for now, those swaps will give you the training effect without the pain.

Lmk if this makes sense