Hip flexor stretches are more important than you may think! The hip flexor muscles can cause a multitude of problems, such as hip and back pain that can be difficult to treat based on your specific mobility limitations. It can also cause abdominal, testicular, and/or pelvic floor pain.
Your hip flexor is actually two muscles, so this stretch will regularly get you two for the price of one! The two hip flexor muscles are shown below, the iliacus and psoas major, and they are located on both sides of your body. One of the muscles attaches to your lumbar spine (the lower part), and the other to your ilium (the outer wings of your pubic bone) and both come around to attach to the front of your femur.
BENEFITS OF HIP FLEXOR STRETCH:
- Decrease back, abdomen, and hip pain
- Aids with digestion
- Helps to improve upright posture
- Decompresses your spine
- Improves gluteal muscle activation for improved butt strength
Hip flexor stretches can be done in a number of ways, and any of the variations mentioned here provides a perfect chance for gaining increased flexibility and range of motion. All of the demonstrated variations can be done on either side of your body.
My accompanying YouTube video is a great way to check your form and see a sample of these variations!
Whether you’re just a beginner or seeking a gentle way to ease into stretching, any of these are a great choice to begin your journey. Hip flexor stretches can be done on either side, by themselves, or within a sequence of stretches , so start reaping those benefits today, and give it a shot!
Begin by relaxing deeply, focusing on your diaphragmatic breathing, and find what you need to be supported properly in the guide below.
EXERCISE! Practice your diaphragmatic breathing with this stretch 3x daily. Hold for 90 seconds at a time. This hold time is important for your body to transition and downregulate. It may feel uncomfortable at first. Meet your body where it’s at and breathe through it.
VARIATION 1: SUPINE HIP FLEXOR STRETCH
For this variation you will need a bed, couch, or similar raised item with enough room for you to lie down comfortably. I’m using a massage table in this example.
Lie on your back with the side of your hips that you would like to stretch close to the outside edge of what you are lying on. Allow that leg to dangle there, and move it slightly out to the side if need be. Rest your head, let your leg relax, and let gravity be your best friend and help you with that stretch!
These positions allow your pelvis to tilt toward the surface you are lying upon (bed, couch, treatment table) and lock down that pelvic position for a deep and maintained stretch. These options are a great way to take the above position to the next level.
VARIATION 2: HALF KNEELING HIP FLEXOR STRETCH
STEP 1
Begin by standing up on your knee. The hip you’d like to stretch should be straight through your knee, hip, and shoulder, your other knee should be bent, the sole of your foot flat on the floor, and your ankle should be a little bit in front of your knee. From here tilt your pelvis back and forth and find a nice neutral pelvic position.
Maintain this pelvic position during Step 2 by engaging your core.
STEP 2
From here you can gently lean forward, holding that pelvic position, until you feel a gentle pulling stretch in that hip. From here there are a few other options you have to try and deepen that stretch further.
OPTIONS FOR DEEPER HALF KNEELING STRETCH
- Tighten your butt cheek on that side
- Lean your upper torso away from that hip
- Turn your shoulders and twist away from that side
This position may cause some issues in the knee or ankle region for some people. Try folding your yoga mat, a blanket, or a towel and placing it beneath your problem area to add support or reduce the amount of flexion demanded from those areas.
VARIATION 3: SEATED HIP FLEXOR STRETCH
Turn your body so that instead of facing forward you are facing sideways in your chair. Similarly to the supine version you are going to let one leg hang off the front edge of the surface, but you will be a position more similar to the half-kneeling hip flexor stretch.
Your other foot should be on the floor over the side edge of your chair. From here you can move your foot backwards or forwards as you need until you find a comfortable stretch.
Feel free to hang onto the seat or back of the chair to help keep yourself steady here.
VARIATION 4: STANDING HIP FLEXOR STRETCH
STEP 1
Standing Hip Flexor Stretches are typically the most difficult for people to achieve success with. For that reason, I recommend that you take time setting this position up and ensuring that your form is correct along the way. Begin by standing with your feet wide apart, it should feel like you have your feet firmly planted on train tracks. Ensure that your toes are pointed forward, and the foot on the side you want to stretch should be about 18-24 inches behind the other.
STEP 2
Next, bend the knee of your front foot, lift the heel of your back foot up to allow the knee to sink into a bend as well.
STEP 3
From this position you should be able to straighten the knee of your back foot, allowing you to access a stretch through the front of that leg by bending and straightening through that knee. Make sure to still leave that heel off of the ground, to start feeling that stretch through the front part of your leg.
NOTE! You can also repeat the options from the half kneeling hip flexor stretch, if you are looking for a way to get a deeper stretch from the standing version as well.
VARIATION 5: HIP FLEXOR STRETCH with YOGA BLOCKS
Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, move the foot of the hip you would like to stretch backwards so that you are in a lunge position. From here you can put your yoga blocks or supports on either side. The block should be right on the outside edge of your front foot. Use these blocks to raise the height of the floor to your hands, allowing you to maintain a comfortable back position in this stretch.
You may need to raise up and sink into the position a couple of times to find a comfortable stretch, or even move your back foot forwards or backwards. Here you will straighten and bend your knee similar to the standing hip flexor stretch.
ASK YOURSELF! As you work through these stretch options, check in and ask yourself: Is it a stretch, or is it a pain?
A stretch-like pulling sensation is normal, it may feel uncomfortable, but investigate that feeling .A stretching sensation should gradually reduce with time and allow you to continue to deepen throughout the position.
Pain, alternately, does not change, or may even increase in intensity. If you feel pain, gently ease out of that stretch and try again utilizing a different variation. There are lots of ones to choose from!
If you would like more information about specific routines or have questions, please visit my information page to reach out! If you think that might have pelvic floor concerns please find a physical therapist near you who will hear your concerns, and can answer your questions and help bring you some comfort. In order to enjoy the journey, you must first begin it! We’re all in this together.
For a full range of poses and stretches, with a multitude of modifications, check out the following resources! Use these to design an individualized, daily plan to build healthy movement into your life!
PELVIC YOGA POSES:
- VIDEO PLAYLIST: Pelvic Floor Yoga Poses (with MODIFICATIONS)
- GUIDE: Pelvic Yoga (with MODIFICATIONS)
PELVIC FLOOR STRETCHES:
- VIDEO PLAYLIST: Pelvic Floor Stretches (with MODIFICATIONS)
- GUIDE: Pelvic Stretches (with MODIFICATIONS)
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