Farmers Carry · Hip Drop (Right Stance)

Why this matters

On every right-leg stance, the right gluteus medius holds the pelvis level while the left leg swings through. When it fatigues, the left (contralateral) side of the pelvis drops. Under a heavy carry that drop leaks power — the pelvis tips instead of the body advancing — and it pulls a compensatory trunk lean along with it.

A level pelvis means efficient gait under carry weight. A drop is the first sign the stance-side glute is giving out, and it surfaces late in long carries before the athlete feels anything else fail.

What good looks like

From behind, during right-foot contact, the line across the top of the hips stays close to horizontal. The left hip does not sag toward the swinging leg; the stride stays even side to side.

Reading the result

• Ideal (level): pelvic control under load is solid.
• Moderate drop: the glute med is starting to fatigue — a small drop, usually shadowed by a compensatory trunk lean.
• Large drop: the stance-side stabiliser has given out; gait turns inefficient and spinal load rises.

Coaching cues

• "Level the hips" — the direct fix.
• Off the platform: side planks and clamshell volume build the glute-med endurance the carry demands.

How to mark

1. Use a posterior-view clip and pause on a frame where the right foot is planted.
2. First point: left iliac crest. Second point: right iliac crest.
3. The tool reports the pelvis line's angle from horizontal (the contralateral hip drop).

Related measurements

• Hip Drop (Left Stance) — the mirror; comparing the two exposes a left/right stabiliser asymmetry.
• Trunk Lateral Lean — the compensation that rides on top of a hip drop.