How To Do The Hip Flexor Stretch Video

Stretching the hip flexor is important when strength training the legs and hips. Learn how to do hip flexor stretch exercises in this stretching and flexibility video.

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Cradle one foot with both arms & lean back
Curl up other leg for advanced stretch
Twist right leg over left hip
Repeat on both sides

About this Author

Tom Clifford has a degree in physical education, fitness and health from Eastern Michigan University, where he ran track and cross-country. Tom has worked as a personal trainer for two years. He also has a separate business where he coaches runners and triathletes for upcoming events. He currently works at Gold's Gym in Wilmington, North Carolina.

TOM CLIFFORD: Now, I'm going to demonstrate the hip flexor stretch. The hip flexor stretch is your focusing on this area of your body, of your hip. You are trying to open up the hip muscles as much as possible, loosening them up. So, the way I stretch a hip flexor is to lean back, I'm going to grab my foot with both arms. I am going to cradle my ankle/foot and lean back, and I'm going to feel my hip muscles really stretch. I'm going to hold it for about 20 to 30 seconds. If you want a little bit more of a stretch, I can put my knee on my foot, and I can grab the back of my hamstring, and pull that forward more, for a little bit more of an advanced stretch. So now, I'm using the weight of my opposite leg to push against my foot, to really stretch out the back of my hip, the side of my hip and my butt. Next hip flexor stretch that I can do is to twist my body straight over, okay, this is also a back stretch too, but it also hits the hip. All right, my foot is crossed over my body, like this, and I'm just kind of let the weight of my leg stretch out my hip. And the third way to stretch the hip, you can use a rope or a jump rope, just put it right around your shoe, and just work it in and out. In towards your face, and out, just a little bit of movement stretch here, that is going to open up your hips. That looses you up, get ready for running, or any light exercise that you are doing the weight yourself. Three different exercises that will stretch your hips all involve in pulling your foot into your nose, or your face, and hold that for 20 to 30 seconds, and if you have a rope or a jump rope, you can use that to get a little bit of a movement stretch in there to open up the hip flexor. So, that is how you do hip flexor stretch.

How to Do the Hip Flexor Stretch Video

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