Working the muscles in the side of your hip can help improve your balance. These muscles are also often left flabby by prolonged desk posture - this exercise can help tone them.

Side Leg Lift

1. Stand up straight with your feet slightly apart. Keep your feet, hip, and shoulders aligned throughout - don't let your body twist.
2. Hold a sturdy chair, table, or counter to steady yourself.
3. Slowly lift your leg out to the side about 8-12 inches. Don't point your toes or rotate your ankle - your toes should point forward throughout the exercise.
4. Hold for a second or two. You will naturally lean a bit to the opposite side, but try to stay as vertical as possible.
5. Slowly lower your leg. Take as long or longer to lower your leg as you did to raise it.
6. Repeat 8-12 times with each leg (you can either do 8-12 on one side at a time or you can alternate legs).

You can make this exercise progressively more difficult by adding these modifications:

• Start by supporting yourself with one hand.
• Support yourself with only one fingertip.
• No hands. Place your hands on your hips instead, or hold them straight out to the side.
• Eyes closed. If you try this, either position yourself where you can easily catch yourself if you wobble or have someone stand nearby to spot you.
• Add light ankle weights to increase the difficulty.

Today’s Source

• Balance exercise: learn to keep your balance with some simple balance training drills, Peak Performance
• Side Leg Lift, Tina Juan Fitness
• Side Leg Raise Exercise, MedicineNet.com