Tips for Hip Mobility: Exercises for Flexibility & Performance

With summertime in full swing, it's the ideal opportunity to conduct a mid-year evaluation of your physical tightness and mobility – especially in your hips.

Are you prioritizing mobility enhancement in your current fitness and performance goals?

Why is Hip Mobility Important?

Maintaining good hip mobility allows for efficient movement patterns, reduces the risk of imbalances and injuries, supports proper alignment, facilitates daily activities, aids in injury rehabilitation, and promotes overall comfort and ease of movement.

If you haven't been giving much thought to muscular tightness and joint restriction, there's no better time than now to begin. 

All individuals can benefit from a mid-year body scan of tight muscle groups and areas of the body that need more focused attention and rejuvenation.

What is a Body Scan?

The body scan is a mindfulness technique frequently used in fitness to detect and address areas of tension and discomfort. 

It involves a deliberate and systematic process of directing your attention to different parts of the body, observing physical sensations, and noting any signs of pain, tightness, or irregularities.

A body scan is a great tool that helps you find these areas of the body that need more attention with stretches and mobility exercises.

Not sure how to do a body scan? Follow these steps: 

1. Find a comfortable space: Choose a quiet and relaxing environment where you can sit or lie down without distractions.

2. Relax and breathe: Take a few deep breaths to center yourself and bring your attention to the present moment.

3. Scan your body: Start at the top of your head and slowly move down, paying attention to each body part. Take note of any sensations, tension, or areas of discomfort without judgment.

4. Conclude and return: Complete the scan by bringing your attention back to your entire body as a whole. Take a few more deep breaths and gradually transition back to your surroundings.

Remember, the body scan is a practice that can be adapted to your needs and preferences. Feel free to modify the steps as necessary to suit your comfort and time constraints.

Interested in the practice of stretching, mobility, and how to prevent injuries through both? We made a Corrective Exercise Specialization guide just for you. 

The 6 Best Hip Mobility Exercises

With the warmer weather beckoning us to prioritize joint mobility and muscle flexibility, it's important to pay attention to the hip region of our bodies.

During this time of year, outdoor exercises like walks, runs, and bike rides can lead to tightness in the hip and pelvic muscles. To counteract this, incorporating specific exercises can help loosen up the hips and enhance mobility.

Figure Four Glute Stretch 

Preparation

1. Lay supine on your back. 
2. Lift your knees above your hips