Planes Of Movement - Why We Train In ALL Directions

You've likely noticed that most exercises (and daily movements) happen in the sagittal plane - think forward/backward. In Pilates, this would include Roll-ups, Roll-overs, and Bridges, and in other classes, movements in the sagittal plane include squats, forward/reverse lunges, and agility ladder ‘single steps forward/backward’. In everyday life, most movements are done in the sagittal plane, including walking, or bending forward to pick something up.

But life isn't always straight ahead. Stepping off a kerb onto uneven ground, reaching sideways for something, or twisting to look behind you? Those involve side-to-side (frontal plane) and rotational (transverse plane) actions.

Sometimes movements occur in multi-planar movements such as moving forward and and turning. A travelling lunge with rotation exercise being a great example of a multi-planar movement…and I know how much we love this one!

Training in these other planes acts like a guardrail: they organize joints, boost stability during weight shifts or direction changes, and give your body more options to stay balanced and controlled. Without them, forward/back actions still happen... just with less precision and higher risk of imbalance.

Understanding planes of movement is not about complexity…it's about building a resilient, adaptable body ready for real life.

For your interest, here’s a quick overview (and link here) of the other planes that we also train in.

Keep moving well, and keep it varied

Deb

Physiopedia contributors 2025, Cardinal Planes and Axes of Movement, Physiopedia, Physiopedia, viewed 18 February 2026, <https://www.physio-pedia.com/Cardinal_Planes_and_Axes_of_Movement>.