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Bridging

Picture of a man doing the bridging exercise

The bridging exercise works the muscles around your lower body and hips. Do 8 to 12 repetitions. Do not continue with this exercise if it causes pain.

  • Lie on your back with both knees bent. Your knees should be bent about 90 degrees.
  • Tighten your belly muscles by pulling in your belly button toward your spine. Then push your heels into the floor, squeeze your buttocks, and lift your hips off the floor until your shoulders, hips, and knees are all in a straight line.
  • Hold for about 6 seconds as you continue to breathe normally, and then slowly lower your hips back down to the floor and rest for up to 10 seconds.
By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer David A. Fleckenstein, MPT - Physical Therapy
Last Revised March 4, 2011

Last Revised: March 4, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & David A. Fleckenstein, MPT - Physical Therapy

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