Why Your Hips Deserve More Attention

As I prepare for my upcoming session at the SaskMilk SaskFit Conference, I find myself daydreaming about hips—yes, hips!
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My session, Hip Hip Hooray for Hips, is all about this incredibly vital joint, and I’m excited to share why the hip joint is one of my favorites to talk about.

Let’s explore what makes the hip joint so special and how you can keep it moving well for real life.

1. Why the Hip Joint is Unique

The hip joint is one of the most fascinating parts of the human body.
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It’s a ball-and-socket joint, which allows it to move in various directions, much like a joystick.
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This movement versatility is what enables us to walk upright on two feet, making us unique among most mammals.
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The hip joint connects the femur (thigh bone) to the pelvis, providing strength and stability for daily activities like standing, walking, and running.

It’s a fundamental joint that supports our entire body and enables us to move freely.

2. Simple Exercises to Strengthen Your Hips

To maintain strong and flexible hips, it’s essential to regularly engage in movements that target hip abduction (moving the leg away from the body) and adduction (bringing the leg toward the body). These movement patterns are often neglected in our daily lives, as we spend a lot of time sitting with our hips in a flexed position.

To counterbalance this, I recommend trying the following simple exercises:

🦵🏼 Hip Abduction/Adduction Exercise: Lie on your back with your feet flat on the floor, hip-width apart. Slowly move your knees away from each other (hip abduction) and then bring them back together (hip adduction). This movement strengthens the muscles surrounding the hip joint, helping to improve mobility and stability.

🦵🏼 Add Resistance: For an added challenge, use a resistance band or a yoga strap around your thighs during these movements. This will increase the load on the muscles, helping to build strength more effectively.

🦵🏼 Support with Props: You can also incorporate a firm pillow or yoga block between your thighs during adduction movements to provide resistance and support.

These exercises are easy to do at home on the floor, bed, or couch and are excellent for keeping the hip joint healthy and functional.
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3. How Regular Hip Movement Impacts Your Body

Taking the time to work on your hip mobility can have a profound effect on your overall well-being.
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When your hips are engaged and mobile, moving through pure movement, they help reduce strain on other parts of your body, such as the lower back and knees.

You may also notice improved posture, better balance, and a greater range of motion in your daily activities.

Plus, by keeping your hip flexors, abductors, and adductors engaged, you’re less likely to experience stiffness or discomfort in this key area of the body.

So, as you go about your day, be mindful of how your hips are feeling. Take a moment to try some of these exercises and see how they positively impact not just your hips but your entire body.
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Comment below and let me know what your hips need—whether it's more flexibility, strength, or relief from tension! I'd love to hear from you so I can share more tips and exercises tailored to your needs.

Whether you’re preparing for a fitness event or simply want to improve your everyday movements, these exercises can help you keep your hips healthy and happy.

Here’s to better movement and happy hips!

Stay well and happy moving!
Lisa