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Standing Side Leg Raises Drag to rotate
Lower Body & Glutes

How to do Standing Side Leg Raises

Standing side leg raises lift each leg out to the side to strengthen the outer hips and glutes and improve balance.

Difficulty
Beginner
Equipment
None or Ankle Weights
Sets & reps
3 sets of 12-15 reps per leg

Target muscles

  • Gluteus Medius
  • Hip Abductors

Also works

  • Gluteus Minimus
  • Core
  • Obliques
PrimarySecondary
Technique

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Stand tall with hands on your hips.
  2. Shift your weight onto your left leg.
  3. Lift your right leg straight out to the side, keeping your toes forward.
  4. Pause, then lower the leg with control.
  5. Alternate legs or complete all reps on one side.

Common mistakes

  • Leaning the torso far to the side.
  • Turning the toes up toward the ceiling.
  • Swinging the leg with momentum.
  • Lifting too high and losing posture.

Benefits

  • Strengthens the outer hips.
  • Improves balance and pelvic stability.
  • Can help reduce knee and hip pain.
  • Easy to do anywhere.

Standing Side Leg Raises for Hip Strength

The gluteus medius on the side of your hip keeps your pelvis level when you walk, run and climb stairs. Standing side leg raises target this muscle directly while training balance on the standing leg.

Helpful Cues:

  • Keep the toes of the lifting leg pointing forward.
  • Move slowly and with control.
  • Hold a chair or wall for support if needed.
Keep going

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Train Standing Side Leg Raises in 3D