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Intermediate Hip Flexor Strength

A focused hip flexor strength session with core and glute support work (~25 min).

Warm-Up

Open the hips and activate glutes/core to support hip flexor work. — Mobility and activation focus.

Cat-Cow Stretch
Cat-Cow Stretch30 sec
World's Greatest Stretch
World's Greatest Stretch30 sec
Glute Bridge
Glute Bridge12x
Dead Bug
Dead Bug10x
2 rounds · 10 sec rest

Strength Circuit A

Control the lift and the lowering phase; keep pelvis level.

Seated Knee Raise
Seated Knee Raise12x each side
Supine Straight Leg Raise
Supine Straight Leg Raise10x each side
Side Plank
Side Plank30 sec each side
3 rounds · 15 sec rest
1 min rest

Strength Circuit B

Stay tall during marches; drive the knee up without leaning back.

Banded March
Banded March12x each side
Standing March
Standing March30 sec
Dead Bug
Dead Bug10x
3 rounds · 15 sec rest

Cool-Down

Downshift and restore hip extension with relaxed breathing. — Hip flexor relief and restoration.

Half-Kneeling Hip Flexor Stretch
Half-Kneeling Hip Flexor Stretch45 sec each side
Psoas-First Programming Logic

Psoas-First Programming Logic

Seated Knee Raises and Supine Straight Leg Raises target the iliopsoas at its two primary functions—hip flexion under load and lumbar stabilization—while Dead Bug forces the psoas to resist spinal extension, building the deep strength that surface-level leg raises miss entirely.

Why Hip Flexors Fail Under Real Demand

Why Hip Flexors Fail Under Real Demand

Chronically shortened from sitting yet expected to fire explosively in running, climbing, or lifting, the hip flexors are uniquely prone to weakness-disguised-as-tightness. The Banded March and Standing March here train hip flexion through full range against resistance, addressing the active insufficiency that causes anterior pelvic tilt and stride collapse.

Tension, Then Length—In That Order

Tension, Then Length—In That Order

The sequence of loading before stretching is deliberate: fatiguing the iliopsoas through Knee Raises and Leg Raises before the Half-Kneeling Hip Flexor Stretch allows the muscle to release at a longer resting length, producing lasting mobility gains. To personalize, add a 1-second pause at peak flexion in the Seated Knee Raise when the movement feels effortless.

Intermediate Hip Flexor Strength | Mighty Nimble | Mighty Nimble