Do you have a hard time getting into a good squat position because your hips always feel tight? This is something I have struggled a bit with since I started CrossFit, and is something I am still very conscious of. There are a lot of different stretches I have done and mobility work, which has yielded some results, but I still feel it is a problem area. I came across an article this week and the author proposed some ideas to increase hip mobility that were quite different than anything I have done previously.
The author’s main point was core stability has a huge impact on hip mobility. If you have consistently tried a variety of stretches with marginal results, he postulates the structure of the hip is likely not the problem, but instead a lack of core stability. His remedy is as follows:
- Start working some side planks with a leg raise into your daily warm-up to reset the hip and core, and to increase lateral stability. Side Plank
- Also, add in some front planks to help stretch your hip flexors and increase overall core stability. Front Plank
I have been working these into my warm-up this week and have really been happy with the results. If you have any issues squatting or feel you have tight hips, give this a try and let me know what you think. If you would like to read the entire article the link is below.
References:
Somerset, Dean. “Planks Are the Magic Bullet for Hip Mobility.” N.p., 25 Oct. 2012. Web. 23 Apr. 2014. http://deansomerset.com/planks-are-the-magic-bullet-for-hip-mobility/
