Hip Flexor Stretching: Don't Just Go Through The Motions...

This is one of the key exercises I see runners having a 'lightbulb moment' with during our running technique workshops.

Particularly targeting rectus femoris, this has to be one of my all-time favourite stretches!

I get runners and triathletes to do this at least once daily, and then pre and post workout. Unless we're dealing with hypermobile athletes, I don't feel we can individually ever do enough mobility work promoting extension patterns.

Why do I like this particular stretch so much? With the 20 second isometric 'butt squeeze' followed by 20 x 1 second glute max contractions, not only are we delivering a strong mobilising effect to the anterior tissues of the hip, but we're also strengthening the neural pathway (mind-muscle link) for getting those important glutes kicking-in.