Hip Flexor Strengthening Exercises
Updated:Exercises > Strengthening (Joints) > Hip Flexor Strengthening Exercises
The following hip flexor strengthening exercises are designed to improve strength of the hip flexor muscles (Iliopsoas). You should discuss the suitability of these exercises with your physiotherapist prior to beginning them. Generally, they should only be performed provided they do not cause or increase pain.
Begin with the basic hip flexor strengthening exercises. Once these are too easy, they can be replaced with the intermediate hip flexor strengthening exercises. As your strength improves, the advanced exercises can be added to the intermediate program.
Figure 1 – Relevant Anatomy for Hip Flexor Strengthening Exercises
Hip Flexor Strengthening – Basic Exercises
To begin with, the following basic hip flexor strengthening exercises should be performed approximately 10 times, 3 times daily. As your strength improves, the exercises can be progressed by gradually increasing the repetitions or frequency of the exercises provided they do not cause or increase pain.
Hip Knee Flexion
Slowly bend and straighten your knee as far as possible pain free, sliding your heel up and down the bed or floor (figure 2). Repeat 10 times provided there is no increase in symptoms.
Figure 2 – Hip Knee Flexion (right leg)
Hip Flexion
Lying on your back, slowly take your knee towards your chest as far as possible and comfortable without pain (figure 3). Then slowly return to the starting position. Repeat 10 times provided there is no increase in symptoms.
Figure 3 – Hip Flexion (left leg)
Hip Flexor Strengthening – Intermediate Exercises
The following intermediate hip flexor strengthening exercises should generally be performed approximately 10 times, 3 times daily provided they do not cause or increase pain. As your strength improves, the exercises can be progressed by gradually increasing the repetitions or frequency of the exercises provided they do not cause or increase pain.
Straight Leg Raise
Begin this exercise lying on your back with one leg straight and one leg bent (figure 4). Slowly lift your straight leg to approximately 45 degrees keeping your knee and toes facing the ceiling. Hold for 2 seconds and then slowly return to the starting position. Repeat 10 times provided the exercise is pain free.
Figure 4 – Straight leg raise (left leg)
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Physiotherapy Products for Hip Flexor Strengthening Exercises
- Resistance Band (For Strengthening Exercises)
- Massage Balls (For Self Massage)
- Exercise Mats
- Swiss Balls
To purchase physiotherapy products to assist with hip flexor exercises click on one of the above links or visit the PhysioAdvisor Shop.
 Other Exercises
- View Hip Flexor Stretches
- View Balance Exercises
- View Leg Stretches
- View Leg Strengthening Exercises
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