The side leg lifts exercise is a beginner level Strength exercises in the Exercise for Better Bones program. This exercise targets the abductor muscles (the muscles of your upper hip and buttocks) and the hip bones. Here are the step-by-step directions you should follow to complete this exercise.

Straight-leg raises, quadriceps stretches, hamstring stretches, wall slides, and knee bends can help improve knee range of motion. It is important to start these exercises slowly and gradually increase the range of motion as you get more comfortable.

Lastly, when doing side lying leg lifts, your therapist may ask you to do the lift with your knee cap pointing gently towards the sky (hip external rotation). This external rotation of your thigh places you in a position to strengthen the posterior portion of your Gluteus Medius. (6) The three variations of the side lying leg raises exercise are:

Tense your abs and obliques to lift the knee up as high as you can. Place your right foot back down and turn slightly to your left as your lift your left knee up towards your left shoulder. This is one complete cycle. Repeat for the duration of the exercise.