Single-Leg Balance Reach
Balancing on one leg while reaching the opposite arm and leg out — adds a dynamic reach to a standard balance hold.
Also called: single-leg reach, star balance, balance reach, single-leg balance with reach, balance board reach
Setup
Stand tall, shift your weight onto one leg with a slight bend in the standing knee.
How to do the Single-Leg Balance Reach
- Reach the opposite arm forward and extend the non-standing leg back slightly, keeping your balance.
- Hold briefly at the furthest point of the reach.
- Return to the tall standing position with control.
- Complete all reps on one side before switching legs.
Single-Leg Balance Reach muscles worked
The Single-Leg Balance Reach works the hip stabilizers and core.
Common Single-Leg Balance Reach mistakes
- Rushing the reach and losing balance early.
- Letting the standing knee cave inward.
- Rounding the back to reach further than is controlled.
Scale it
Easier: Reduce the reach distance, touch down lightly between reps.
Harder: Close your eyes at the top of the reach, or add a light weight in the reaching hand.
Pairs well with
Standing Single-Leg Balance
Balancing on one leg — builds ankle, knee, and hip stability with no equipment needed.
Around the World
Circling a light weight around the head or body — shoulder mobility and control through a full circle of positions.
Back Squat
The barbell squat — the heaviest-loadable lower-body strength lift, building quads, glutes, and trunk strength together.
Bird Dog
Extending opposite arm and leg from all-fours with a still trunk — back-friendly core stability and hip-extension control.
Illustrations: Exercise data by RepDB (repdb.co)