"Four hip-fortifying workouts recommended by professionals to achieve long-lasting hip flexibility"

In the pursuit of a healthier lifestyle, maintaining a strong and mobile lower body is essential. Here are some exercises recommended by Emma Burgon-Kisby, a sports therapist, strength and conditioning coach, and the founder of Lincs Injury Clinic, that can help you achieve this goal.

Towel slides are a versatile exercise that targets the muscles responsible for straightening your leg at the knee and moving your leg behind you. By working these muscles through their full range of motion, you can develop stability and control in these areas. This exercise can be progressed or regressed, making it a great option for everyone's ability level.

Knee lifts are another exercise that can provide significant benefits. Standing on a box or bench, hook the end of your right shoe through a kettlebell handle, and raise your right knee as high as possible while keeping your body straight. This exercise not only strengthens the hip flexor muscles but also improves their endurance and resilience under load.

If you're looking to undo the damage caused by spending most of your time sitting down, focusing on strengthening the muscles surrounding the hips makes sense. Hip-strengthening exercises, such as towel slides and knee lifts, target the hip flexors and supporting muscles in the core. Strengthening these areas can help fight the effects of sitting all day and improve mobility, easing off back pain, hip pain, and knee pain.

Knee tucks, an exercise that works the hip joint and surrounding muscles, can be performed by sitting on the edge of a bench or sturdy surface, placing a short looped resistance band around the middle of your feet, and alternating drawing the knees towards your chest. This exercise increases muscle strength by adding resistance, making it an effective way to improve posture and your walking gait.

The deadbug exercise is another effective hip-strengthening exercise. To do this, lie on your back, tuck your tailbone up towards the ceiling, clench your glutes, lift your legs so your knees are above your hips and your knees are at roughly 90°, extend your arms towards the ceiling, tense your abs, and extend one leg and lower one arm while keeping them just above the floor, then return to the starting position and repeat with the opposite limbs. This exercise strengthens and lengthens the hip flexors and the muscles in your deep core, which play a major role in stabilizing the hips and lower back.

In conclusion, incorporating these exercises into your routine can help you maintain a strong and mobile lower body, which is crucial for overall fitness and wellbeing. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just starting your fitness journey, these exercises offer a great way to strengthen your core and improve your mobility for the long haul.

"Four hip-fortifying workouts recommended by professionals to achieve long-lasting hip flexibility"