"This is my favorite hip mobility drill": A physiotherapist on the one exercise you should be doing if you have stiff hips
Desk-job workers, listen up
Dealing with stiff hips is common, particularly for desk workers, as prolonged sitting weakens lower-body muscles and limits hip mobility. Our joints can also become less mobile as we age, but there are a few things you can do to keep your hips feeling limber, such as this expert-recommended exercise from physiotherapist Sam Caddick.
Caddick describes the movement as a supported 90/90 rotation. As he explains in his Instagram Reel, this move allows you to practice both internal and external rotation in the hips.
Depending on the reason for your tight hips, you might struggle with internal or external rotation more. This drill will help you figure out where your weaknesses lie and ensure you are mobilizing the entire hip joint.
How to adapt the 90/90 hip stretch
A post shared by Sam Caddick | Rehab | Running | Performance | Mobility
A photo posted by sjc.physio on
- Sit upright with your left leg bent in front of you. The outer side of your left thigh and calf should be resting on the ground and your knee should be bent at 90°.
- Bring your right leg out to the side so your right thigh and left calf are parallel. Your right knee should also be bent at 90°. Hold this position for a few seconds.
- Keeping your feet on the floor, move your knees up and over to the other side so they’re resting on the floor, rotating your torso as you move. You should now be mirroring your starting position on the other side of your body.
- If both of your knees don't touch the floor, Caddick suggests raising your hips on a couple of blocks. This will allow your hips more space to move.
Benefits of hip mobility
Having tight hips restricts our natural movement patterns and can upset our spinal alignment. If our body can’t move properly and isn’t correctly positioned, it’s more susceptible to injuries. Stretching and rotating your hips can make them more limber, which will help your body stay healthy.
It's worth adding this hip mobility drill into your regular routine, whether as a mobility warm-up to your workout session or a standalone drill. You can also try some of the moves in our round-up of the best hip stretches and best hip-strengthening exercises to create a routine that works for you.
Get the Fit&Well Newsletter
Start your week with achievable workout ideas, health tips and wellbeing advice in your inbox.
Alice Porter is a freelance journalist covering lifestyle topics including health, fitness and wellness. She is particularly interested in women's health, strength training and fitness trends and writes for publications including Stylist Magazine, Refinery29, The Independent and Glamour Magazine. Like many other people, Alice's personal interest in combining HIIT training with strength work quickly turned into a CrossFit obsession and she trains at a box in south London. When she's not throwing weights around or attempting handstand push-ups, you can probably find her on long walks in nature, buried in a book or hopping on a flight to just about anywhere it will take her.
-
My favorite trail walking shoe is currently reduced by 25%—but it's selling fast
Deal REI has a rare reduction on both men's and women's styles
By Lou Mudge Published
-
This express Pilates routine only takes 12 minutes but it will wake up your entire body
Pilates Start the day feeling energized with this expert instructor's quick session
By Lucy Miller Published