The bridge exercise is a backbend, a core strengthener, and a balance pose all in one. Bridging exercise, a closed chain weight-bearing exercise, is an exercise that increases muscular strength of the hip extensors and promotes trunk stability. The bridge exercise is a great way to isolate and strengthen the gluteus (butt) muscles and hamstrings (back of the thigh). If you do this exercise correctly, you also will find that it is good core stability and strength exercise that targets the abdominal muscles as well as the muscles of the lower back and hip. It's also known as the hip raise. It is often prescribed for patients with back pain and increases the activities of trunk stabilization muscles such as the internal oblique, external oblique, and erector spinal muscles. The bridge exercise is considered a basic rehab exercise to improve core and spinal stabilization. It's considered to be a safe exercise for those with back issues. If you sit all day, ...