Ever try to dance, squat, or tie your shoes and feel like your hips are plotting against you? It’s time to give them some love!
Good hip mobility is very important as we age, as it directly influences your physical health, independence, and quality of life.
Here are some key effects:
Maintaining Independence
• Hip mobility is essential for performing daily tasks such as walking, climbing stairs, standing up from a chair, or bending to pick something up.
• It helps older adults retain their ability to move freely and perform basic functions without any help from others.
Reduced Risk of Falls
• Proper hip mobility improves balance, coordination, and stability, which are critical for preventing falls—a major concern in aging populations.
Improved Joint Health
• Good hip mobility encourages proper joint alignment and movement, reducing wear and tear on the hip joint and lowering the risk of arthritis or joint degeneration.
Pain Reduction
• As mobility improves, there’s less stiffness and tension in the hips, which can significantly reduce discomfort or chronic pain often associated with aging.
Better Posture and Spinal Health
• Mobile hips help maintain a neutral pelvic position, reducing strain on the lower back and improving overall posture.
• Mobile hips reduce the risk of lower back pain and spinal issues.
Preservation of Muscle Mass and Strength
• Hip mobility supports active engagement of the glutes, hamstrings, and other surrounding muscles, preventing atrophy and promoting strength, even into older age.
Enhanced Circulation
• Hip mobility exercises promote blood flow to the lower body, improving recovery and reducing stiffness or inflammation in aging joints.
Improved Quality of Life
• Being able to move without pain or restriction boosts confidence and encourages us to remain active and social, improving mental health.
These are quite a lot of positive effects, aren’t they?
So taking care of your hips can be your secret weapon to feeling younger. Think of it as your daily lotion to hydrate your hips.
Check here my routine I use in my classes at the beginning of a workout. It is a sequence of 4 different movements, easy to implement as a daily habit:
Step 1: 90/90 stretch
Step 2: 90/90 stretch with reach
Step 3: 90/90 stretch get up
Step 4: 90/90 switch legs get up
Prioritize your hips today to protect your independence for tomorrow!
Good luck!