The tensor fasciae latae is a muscle located on the upper lateral portion of your thigh and is enclosed between layers of fascia, or fibrous tissue. This muscle works with the iliopsoas to flex your hip and with the gluteus medius and minimus...
The exercise machine that works the tensor fasciae latae, or TFL, is the seated abductor machine. This machine can be found in many fitness clubs and is typically used by people to target the muscles in the side of their leg. Your TFL muscle is...
Injuries to your thigh and hip muscles can affect not only how you exercise but also simple activities like walking, bending down and overall movement. A torn, strained or damaged tensor fasciae latae muscle can be properly healed and strengthened...
The tensor fasciae latae muscle is located on the lateral side of the hip within the fascia lata sheath. This muscle enables hip flexion, primarily internal, forward and outward rotation of the hip. It is also the dominant muscle that drives the...
The situp has largely been supplanted by the crunch in recent years. Most people performed the situp to work the muscles of the abdomen — and the crunch more effectively isolates those muscles. So for bodybuilders, eight-time Mr. Olympia...
Saddlebags hang on the sides of the hips like pouches slung across the back of a horse. This unsightly fat does not have much of an impact on overall health, but it can have a major impact on self-esteem. Exercise plays a big role in removing...
When it comes to striking a sleek silhouette, bulgy lumpy outer thighs can ruin your line. Inactivity and too much sitting can conspire with genetics and gravity to cause a "saddlebag" effect. Help is as near at hand as a gym membership or a trip...
Your gluteus maximus, medius and minimus -- along with the tensor fasciae latae -- make up the hip musculature. The tensor fasciae latae is a muscle on the side of the hips. Any machine exercise that targets these muscles will help give your hips...
The double leg lift is a very intense core exercise. It's also versatile for a bodyweight exercise, in that you can adjust the difficulty by performing the movement on the ground, on a slanted abdominal board or even hanging. But to get the full...
Stretches for your hip abductors target more than one muscle. The gluteus medius and gluteus minimus work together, but the tensor fasciae latae is stretched differently. The glute muscles are in the buttocks, but the tensor fascia latae is on the...
Your legs are able to move thanks in part to a complex network of muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones. Your legs move forward and upward via a group of muscles known as hip flexors. Although characterized generally, there are five main muscles...
The human body is composed of over 600 muscles. Each one has a specific anatomical location and size. As the name implies, the hip abductors are found near the hip bones. Due to their moderate size, they are responsible for stabilizing the hip and...
Your hip flexors allow your thigh to move toward your pelvic region. When you move your thigh to your abdomen, for instance, several muscles perform hip flexion. You engage your hip flexors during everyday activities such as walking. Major muscles...
The jackknife exercise is often referred to as a jackknife sit-up or v-up. This exercise is performed by moving your upper body and lower body toward each each by bending at the waist. The motion of your body resembles a jackknife closing. From an...
Walking up a set of stair steps or on a stair climbing machine elevates your heart rate and promotes weight loss. This form of cardiovascular exercise also works multiple muscles in the body. Walking up double stair steps works the same muscles,...
A bicycle, regardless of whether it is a stationary or outdoor bike, is operated by turning cranks around by pressing against them with your feet. During this motion, several things happen to your body. Your heart rate increases, you break a sweat...
A common postural deviation is anterior pelvic tilt. The movement and function of the pelvis play an important role in correct movement patterns in sports, fitness and daily living activities. Anterior pelvic tilt is characterized by excessive...
The muscles that internally rotate the hips are the gluteus medius, the anterior fibers of the gluteus minimus and tensor fasciae latae (TFL) muscles of the hips. When these muscles get tight, it's difficult to internally rotate your hips....
The hip flexor muscles are located on the anterior side, or the front side of the hip joint. As their name implies, they cause the hips to flex and also connect your legs to your pelvis. The importance of these muscles is apparent when they are...
Hip flexion is a term that describes hip movement and range of motion. When you lift your knee, raise your foot into the air while lying down, or arc your leg upward while performing leg, buttocks or hip exercises, you're flexing your hip joint....
Strong hips are essential for injury prevention in runners. Runners with overuse leg injuries had significantly weaker hip abductor flexor muscle groups on the injured side than the uninjured side, according to a study completed in 2005 by Rocky...
The primary function of the gluteus medius muscle is to stabilize the pelvis when your legs are unable to provide support. You can tone this muscle with a series of resistance-training exercises performed on either a machine or with your own body...
The muscles located on the sides of your outer thigh can become tight and inflexible due to sitting for extended periods of time, strenuous physical activity or stiff hips. Specific side leg stretches can help encourage flexibility in your outer...
Abduction training consists of moving your legs outward by flexing at the hips. Many bodybuilders neglect hip abduction exercises in favor of squatting, but abduction movements can help you focus on undertrained portions of your upper legs. Before...
The hips and outer thighs are often problem areas for fat accumulation. Outer leg raises help tone these muscles, while aerobic exercise helps burn fat from around your body, including these areas. Perform this exercise, or any variation of this...
Your internal hip rotators include the gluteus minimus, gluteus medius and tensor fasciae latae muscles. According to "Yoga Journal," these muscles, which connect the outer pelvis to the outer upper femur, not only internally rotate your...
Your hip flexors, located on the fronts of your upper thighs, consist of several muscles: your iliopsoas, rectus femoris, sartorius, tensor fasciae latae and pectineus. Your hip flexors help lift your legs and knees, propel your hips forward...
Muscles come in many shapes and sizes. Tendons attach the ends of muscles to bone. Short muscles with long tendons can and should be exercised just as any other muscle group in the body, but knowing where these muscles are may help you cater your...
Weak or tight hip abductors lead to hip and knee instability, which could cause injuries. The hip abductors are on the outer portion of the hips and thighs. Stretching exercises relieve tension in the hip abductors and improve flexibility. These...
Learn about different trigger points for massage in this free video clip on holistic medicine and chiropractics.
