But penciling in just a couple minutes of stretching?
Thats much easier to fit in.
Spendinga lot of time sittingcan do a number on your body.
Katie Thompson
Heres what it’s crucial that you know.
What are your hip muscles?
Your hip muscles include muscles in the top of your legs as well as your butt.
Whats the problem with tight hips?
Too much tightness in your hips can also make it harder for your glutes to activate.
Since theyre opposing muscle groups, when one is really tight, the other becomes lengthened.
This takes away some of its ability to contract.
Thats a big deal, California-based trainerHolly Perkins, CSCS, tells SELF.
Strong, powerful glutes create the anchor for your entire pelvis, she says.
When your glutes are lengthened, that has profound implications for your alignment and movement, she says.
Compromised glutes can throw off your form up and down your entire body.
And that can set the stage for injury.
Joint mobility and muscle strength need to work together for that to happen effectively.
What are the benefits of hip stretches?
Hip stretches can help lengthen these muscles, helping to relieve discomfort, decrease tightness, and increase mobility.
Have some extra time?
Try thesefoam rolling exercisesfor your hips too.
Whichever way you plan to slot in hip mobility work, your body will definitely thank you!
Bonus: Your hamstrings will get some love too.
Crescent Lunge
Any kind oflunge variationis great for opening up your hips and getting that feels-so-good stretch.
You should feel that in your hip flexors (and quads) of your back leg.
Simultaneously, youll strengthen the glutes of your bent leg.
You’ll also feel a nice stretch along the side of your torso and yourobliques(side abs).
It also stretches your quadsanother area that tends to tense up from this repetitive movement.
This option gives you a deeper hip extensor stretch.
Childs Pose
Childs pose is a well-known hip openerand for good reason.
By flowing through the movement, youll focus on really increasing mobility in these areas.
Its also a good balance challenge.
Pigeon Pose
Pigeon poseprimarily stretches your hip flexors and hip abductors, including your glutes and piriformis.
For a deeper stretch, lean your torso forward and rest your forehead on the ground.
Your shoulders, hamstrings, and back should feel the goodness, too.
You may just need to work on flexibility overall before trying it again.
