ADVANCED
Building on the beginning and intermediate Bridge exercises, this third version of the exercise takes the Bridge movements to the limit, coordinating the legs, hips, and spine through successful use of the plank position.
Lie on the mat in the supine position with your arms alongside your body and legs hip-width apart, bent, with feet flat on the floor.
Inhale to prepare, then exhale, lifting hips off mat, creating one long line from knees to shoulders.
Inhale, and raise the right leg up in the air, pointing the toes.
Exhale, and flex the foot.
Lower the leg straight down, lengthening the leg from the body, creating a long line from the shoulders to the ankle.
Inhale, and point your toes, drawing the knee in toward your body before lifting your leg back up toward the ceiling.
Repeat sequence four to six times, and then switch legs.
ANNOTATION KEY
Bold text indicates active muscles
Gray text indicates stabilizing muscles
* indicates deep muscles
DO IT RIGHT
LOOK FOR
• Maintaining the plank position throughout the motion.
• Keeping your neck lengthened and relaxed through the exercise.
• Reaching and lengthening of the leg that is moving to activate the deep core muscles.
AVOID
• Allowing the hips to lift or sink from plank position.
BEST FOR
• gluteus maximus
• gluteus medialis
• quadriceps lumborum
• tensor fasciae latae
• rectus abdominis
• transversus abdominis
• semitendinosus
• semimembranosus
• biceps femoris