If there is one muscle group out there that tends to be tight for a lot of folks, it’s the hip flexors. These are the muscles that bring your knees toward your chest. The tightness is often felt at the front of the hips. These become tight because we just plain sit a lot nowadays. The problem with them being tight is they become overactive and can negatively impact the knees and low back particularly. Here is a stretch you can try any time.
A hip flexor static stretch:
a. take one step forward
b. point the back foot’s toes at the forward foot’s heel (i.e. point it inward)
c. squeeze your butt so that your low back flattens and rounds a bit (pretending you are a scared dog with its tail between its legs helps and just plain feels silly to boot)
d. keep the abs tight and bend the forward knee until you feel a stretch at the front of the hip on the same side as the back foot
e. hold this position for 20-30 seconds and remember to breathe!
Try it at work whenever you find yourself sitting for a longer period of time at your desk, after a long drive, or after any prolonged sitting.
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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.