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I do this a lot when I'm watching TV. I lie on my back sometimes with my hands behind my head or to my side. I put both of my feet straight up together in the air (perpendicular to my body, I look like an L). Then I separate both legs to go to either side of my body as far as I can sometimes and I will slowly bring them back up to meet together.

I've been doing this for while, and I want to know the term for it to make sure others are doing it and that I'm doing it correctly.

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Voting to close: Do we identify equipment or exercises?. –  Baarn Feb 13 '13 at 0:54
These type of questions aren't particularly good for Stack Exchange. –  Matt Chan Feb 13 '13 at 4:17
There isn't really anything "Vague, broad, or half-remembered" about the description in the question, it is clear, concise, and easy to identify for anyone with knowledge in the field. Wanting to learn about the correct way to perform a clearly described movement is certainly practical and answerable. –  Affe Feb 13 '13 at 5:38
@Affe You should post that on meta. Even after Matt edited it, I still don't see how this question helps anyone besides the asker. –  Baarn Feb 13 '13 at 8:12

1 Answer 1

The movement you're describing is hip adduction. You're exercising the hip adductors, which are thigh muscles that pull your legs together.

I can't find an image of a bodyweight version of the exercise you're describing, but here is an image of the weighted exercise:

enter image description here

You can find out more about that exercise here. There are some other examples in this section of the thigh exercise page on exrx. A google search for "hip adduction" or "hip adduction exercises" should give you a lot more direction on the movement if you would like to find out more.

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I bet that if the question had included such an awesome GIF, there would be a lot less discussion. Nice find –  Ivo Flipse Feb 13 '13 at 9:49

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