Tips To Help You Loosen Up Your Stiff Hips
Some days our hips bear the brunt of our activities. Whether we go for a long run or spend hours sitting at a desk, the impact is often felt in our hips. Even seemingly harmless habits like sleeping on one side for too long can lead to uncomfortable hip pain.
The good news is that you can alleviate tight and achy hips with the help of these six hip-opening videos from Well+Good’s YouTube collection. Whether you require more strength to stabilize your pelvis or some bodywork to release any tension, we’ve got you covered.
15 Minute Pilates Stretch For Hips And Hamstrings
This gentle routine by trainer Chloe de Winter from Go Chlo Pilates is perfect for warming up before a workout or relieving hip discomfort at the end of the day. De Winter starts with hip circles to loosen up and release tension, then proceeds to deep stretches focusing on the hip flexors, making it particularly beneficial after prolonged sitting.
15 Minute Core for Tight Hip Flexors
If your hip flexors are constantly bothering you, spending some extra time strengthening your core can be beneficial. Why? A strong core can help alleviate pressure on your hips by providing support and maintaining proper alignment of the torso and pelvis. This workout with Brian Spencer from East River Pilates emphasizes body resistance to build the necessary strength without exacerbating tight hip flexors.
16 Minute ‘Hip Hip Hooray’ Flow for Happy Hips
This fun yoga flow led by instructor Pilin Anice targets the small stabilizing muscles around the hip joints. Anice begins with cat-cow poses to synchronize breath and movement, then incorporates hip circles while on all fours. Each movement, from downward dog to squats and lunges, is designed to enhance range of motion.
How To Do Pigeon Pose
Few stretches focus on the outer hips as effectively as pigeon pose. Learn the correct form to ensure you are targeting the right areas with this brief video from Well+Good’s series The Right Way. Tess Koenig from Yoga Vida provides a step-by-step breakdown, highlighting common mistakes to avoid. Hint: You should feel your hips opening up, not a strain in your knee, to know you are executing the stretch correctly.
15 Minute Guided Foam Roller Workout for Self-Massage
Bid farewell to tension! While stretching your hips is crucial, it may not always be sufficient: Massaging the muscles connected to your hips can help alleviate tightness that might be causing discomfort. In this session led by De Winter, targeted pressure from a foam roller is used to release tension in the quads, inner thighs, and back.
25 Minute Hip Opening Flow
Instructed by Paris Alexandra and Alicia Ferguson from BK Yoga Club, this calming yoga session focuses on poses that target the hips gently yet effectively. The combination of deep breathing and stretching allows your hips to open up and relax. “We are breathing in energy into your hip and noticing how it might feel tight or sticky, and being in discovery of how,” Alexandra explains. Get ready to feel relaxed, flexible, and rejuvenated.
