Swiss-Ball Straight-Leg Side Bridge

strengthenhipadvancedactive

Content last reviewed: 2026-07-14

Swiss-Ball Straight-Leg Side Bridge demonstration

How to do it

  1. Lie on your side with both legs straight and the feet supported together on a stable Swiss ball.
  2. Brace your trunk and press the feet gently into the ball.
  3. Lift the hips until the body forms a straight line from shoulders to feet, without rolling forward or backward.
  4. Pause briefly, lower under control, complete the repetitions and switch sides.

Form cues

  • This is an advanced progression; first master a floor side bridge from the knees and then the feet.
  • Place the ball against a wall or have a clear area around you so it cannot roll away unexpectedly.
  • Keep the neck neutral and stop if the shoulder, back or outer hip becomes painful.

Dosage

2 × 5 reps per side

Muscles worked

gluteus medius — anatomical illustration
gluteus mediusAnatomical illustration derived from BodyParts3D, © The Database Center for Life Science, licensed under CC BY-SA.
obliques — anatomical illustration
obliquesAnatomical illustration derived from BodyParts3D, © The Database Center for Life Science, licensed under CC BY-SA.
quadratus lumborum — anatomical illustration
quadratus lumborumAnatomical illustration from Z-Anatomy (derived from BodyParts3D), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Strengthens: gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, obliques, quadratus lumborum