About This Intermediate Hip Stability Routine
Flexible hips without stability create vulnerability. This intermediate hip stability routine combines stretching with strengthening work, building hips that are both mobile and controlled. The balanced approach creates resilient joints that handle whatever you ask of them.
What This Routine Targets
This routine targets hip mobility and the muscles that control it. You’ll open the hip flexors through lizard pose, stretch the adductors through frog, release the external rotators through pigeon, and then activate the glutes and core muscles that stabilize everything. The combination creates functional hip health.
What’s Included
This six-minute routine includes eight exercises that alternate between stretching and activation work. Deep stretches like lizard and pigeon are balanced with strength elements like lateral leg raises and bicycle holds. The approach ensures you build mobility you can actually control.
Who Should Try This
This routine benefits anyone who wants stable, functional hips rather than just passive flexibility. Athletes will appreciate the performance-focused approach. Those with hip pain often find that adding stability work to their stretching makes their hips feel better overall.
Tips for Best Results
Pay attention to the quality of movement during the activation exercises. The goal isn’t just to survive the hold but to feel the right muscles working. Strong glute activation during the leg raises translates directly into better hip function.
Lizard Pose
Duration: 1:00
Slide into lizard pose to deeply stretch your hips, groin, and hamstrings.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Instructions
- Start in tabletop, then step one foot outside the same-side hand.
- Lower your hips toward the floor and extend the back leg straight behind you, knee and top of the foot resting on the mat.
- Keep your chest lifted as you breathe into the stretch.
Tips
- Let your hips relax and sink toward the floor.
- Lift the back knee and come onto forearms for more intensity when you are ready.
Adjustments
- Use yoga blocks under your hands if the floor feels far away.
Frog Pose
Duration: 0:30
Ease into frog pose to open your inner thighs and give your hips a deep, satisfying stretch.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Instructions
- Start on hands and knees, then lower to your forearms.
- Slide your knees out to the sides with hips in line with knees and toes turned outward.
- Press your hips back toward your heels to deepen the stretch while breathing steadily.
Tips
- Keep your chest lifted slightly so your spine stays long.
Adjustments
- Bring knees closer together or place blankets under them for less intensity.
Pigeon
Duration: 1:00
Settle into pigeon pose to melt tension in your hips, glutes, and lower back.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Instructions
- From tabletop, bring one knee forward behind the same-side wrist and angle the shin toward the opposite hip.
- Slide the back leg straight behind you as you square your hips toward the floor.
- Lower your torso over the front leg and rest on your forearms or hands while breathing deeply.
Tips
- Keep hips level rather than collapsing to one side.
Adjustments
- Place a folded blanket or block under the bent-leg hip for support.
- Stay upright with hands on the floor if folding forward feels too intense.
Lying Side Leg Raise
Duration: 0:30
Lift your top leg while lying on your side to groove hip strength and core stability.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Lie on one side with legs extended and feet stacked.
- Rest your head on your lower arm and place the top hand on your hip.
- Engage your core and lift the top leg toward the ceiling, creating about a forty-five degree angle.
- Hold briefly, lower with control, and repeat before switching sides.
Tips
- Keep your body in a straight line and avoid letting the hips roll forward or back.
Adjustments
- Work through a smaller range of motion if lifting high feels challenging.
Leaning 90/90
Duration: 1:00
Lean back in a 90/90 setup to explore hip rotation while keeping the pelvis relaxed.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Sit with knees bent and feet flat, then let both legs fall to one side creating two right angles.
- Place your hands on the floor behind you for support and lean back while keeping hips and shoulders square.
- Hold the position, breathe into the hips, then reset and switch sides when ready.
Tips
- Keep your spine long instead of collapsing through the chest.
Adjustments
- Sit on a cushion or folded blanket to make the position more accessible if your hips feel tight.
Bicycle Crunch Hold
Duration: 0:30
Lock into a bicycle crunch and feel your obliques fire while you balance between power and control.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Instructions
- Lie on your back with knees bent and feet on the floor, then lace your fingers lightly behind your head.
- Lift head, shoulders, and upper back off the mat while pressing your lower spine down.
- Extend one leg long and pull the opposite knee toward your chest as you rotate to bring the opposite elbow toward that knee.
- Hold the twist with steady breathing, then switch sides halfway through the set.
Tips
- Keep the core braced so the lower back stays glued to the mat.
- Think about rotating the ribcage rather than yanking the elbow forward.
- Support your head gently with your hands without pulling on the neck.
Adjustments
- Keep both knees more bent or rest the extended heel on the floor if you need to dial the intensity down.
Seated Straddle
Duration: 0:30
Slide into a wide-legged seat and fold forward to stretch your inner thighs and hamstrings with intention.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Instructions
- Sit with legs extended, then open them wide into a straddle.
- Place your hands on the floor in front of you and lengthen your spine.
- Hinge at the hips to reach forward, lowering your torso toward the floor while breathing steadily.
Tips
- Keep your back long and avoid rounding as you fold.
- Flex your feet and point toes upward to keep legs active.
Adjustments
- Rest hands on blocks or a chair if reaching forward feels challenging.
- Sit on a folded blanket to elevate your hips and create more comfort.
Knees-to-Chest
Duration: 0:30
Hug your knees to your chest to release the lower back and gently stretch the hips.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Lie on your back with legs extended and arms by your sides.
- Bend both knees and draw them toward your chest.
- Wrap your arms around your shins and hug the knees in, breathing deeply.
Tips
- Let your head and neck relax on the floor.
- Keep your lower back gently pressing into the mat.
Adjustments
- Hold behind your thighs instead of the shins if that feels better for your body.
Mobility With Control
Stand and move through some easy hip circles, noticing how much more controlled your hips feel. This is the difference between flexibility and functional mobility.
Include this builder in your regular routine to maintain hips that are both open and strong. The combination serves you better than either quality alone.
