Keep your stride smooth by cycling through this builder after runs or leg sessions.
Standing Quad
Duration: 01:00
Stand tall and pull your heel toward your glute to stretch the front of your thigh and hip flexors.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Stand with feet hip-width apart.
- Bend one knee, bringing your heel toward your glute, and grasp the ankle with both hands.
- Pull the heel gently closer while keeping knees together and hips aligned.
Tips
- Engage your core to help you balance.
- Keep the standing leg slightly bent and avoid arching your back.
Adjustments
- Hold a wall or chair if you need balance support.
- Loop a strap or towel around your foot if reaching your ankle is tricky.
- Extend your free arm to the side for extra stability.
Lunge
Duration: 01:00
Sink into a kneeling lunge to stretch your hip flexors and lengthen the front of your body.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Start kneeling and step one foot forward, planting it flat in front of you.
- Press your hips forward as you raise both arms overhead.
- Lift through your chest and reach toward the ceiling while breathing deeply.
Tips
- Keep the front knee stacked over the ankle for stability.
- Press the top of your back foot into the floor to engage the rear leg.
- Stay tall through your torso to avoid dumping into the lower back.
Adjustments
- Rest your hands on your front thigh if reaching overhead feels intense.
- Place a towel or cushion under your back knee for comfort.
- Hold onto a wall or chair for balance when needed.
Kneeling Quad
Duration: 01:00
Open up your quads and hip flexors with a kneeling stretch that hits all the right spots after a long run.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Kneel with knees hip-width apart, then step one foot forward into a lunge stance.
- Reach back with the arm on the same side as your rear leg and catch your ankle, drawing the heel toward your glute.
- Place the opposite hand on your front knee and gently press your hips forward while lifting your chest.
Tips
- Stay tall through your torso instead of leaning forward or back.
Adjustments
- Loop a strap or towel around your back foot if reaching with your hand is tough.
- Keep the back foot on the floor if the quad stretch feels too intense.
Reverse Lunge
Duration: 01:00
From a kneeling stance, extend one leg forward to stretch the backside while keeping your balance dialed in.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Begin kneeling with knees hip-width apart and tops of your feet on the floor.
- Extend one leg forward, pressing the heel into the ground and keeping the leg straight.
- Hinge at your hips to lower the torso toward the floor, placing hands down for balance.
- Hold the stretch briefly, then switch legs.
Tips
- Keep your chest lifted and back long even as you hinge forward.
Adjustments
- Place a folded blanket under your kneeling knee for comfort.
Lizard Pose
Duration: 01:00
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.
Upward Dog
Duration: 00:30
Press into upward dog to open your chest and stretch the front of your body with strength.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Lie on your stomach with legs extended and hands under your shoulders.
- Press into your palms, straighten your arms, and lift your chest and thighs off the floor.
- Relax your shoulders away from your ears and gaze slightly upward.
Tips
- Only your palms and the tops of your feet should touch the floor.
- Keep arms straight without locking your elbows.
Adjustments
- Keep thighs on the floor for a gentler version if needed.
Downward Dog
Duration: 00:30
Press back into downward dog to lengthen your spine, open the shoulders, and stretch the entire backside.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Start in tabletop, tuck your toes, and press through your hands to lift hips up and back.
- Straighten your legs as much as feels good while keeping a soft bend in the knees.
- Reach your chest toward your thighs and lengthen through your spine as your heels reach toward the floor.
Tips
- Let your head hang between your arms so your neck relaxes.
- Spread weight evenly between hands and feet.
- Keep knees slightly bent if hamstrings feel tight.
Adjustments
- Bend the knees more deeply or elevate hands on a chair for a lighter option.
- Come onto your forearms or place a block under your hands if wrists need relief.
Thunderbolt
Duration: 00:30
Sit back on your heels in thunderbolt to stretch your shins and ankles while encouraging calm posture.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Kneel with knees together and tops of your feet on the floor.
- Sit back on your heels with big toes touching and heels slightly apart.
- Rest hands on thighs, palms down, and sit tall with shoulders relaxed.
Tips
- Engage your core to support the lower back.
Adjustments
- Place a cushion between your heels and hips if sitting back feels intense.
- Slide a folded blanket under your knees for extra comfort.
Quad Stretch
Duration: 01:00
Stretch your quads by tucking one foot beside you and leaning back into a deep, satisfying release.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Sit with legs extended, then bend one knee and draw the heel back toward your glute.
- Hold the ankle and tuck the foot directly under your hip.
- Lean back onto your elbows or as far as comfortable while breathing into the stretch.
Tips
- Keep your hips, knees, and ankles in one line.
- Make sure the foot stays tucked under your glute rather than flaring out to the side.
Adjustments
- Loop a strap around your foot if reaching the ankle feels tough.
- Lie on your side and pull the foot toward you for a softer variation if your knees are sensitive.
Hurdler
Duration: 01:00
Set up like a hurdler and fold forward to stretch your hamstrings, calves, and hips with precision.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Sit tall with legs extended, then bend one leg and place the sole against the inner thigh of the other leg.
- Reach through the spine and hinge forward from the hips toward the extended foot.
- Hold the foot, ankle, or shin while breathing into the stretch, then switch sides.
Tips
- Lead with your chest rather than rounding your back.
- Keep the extended leg engaged and the foot flexed without locking the knee.
Adjustments
- Use a strap or towel around your foot if your hands do not reach comfortably.
- Soften the knee of the extended leg if you need less intensity.
Lying Quad Stretch
Duration: 01:00
Stretch your quads while lying on your side so you can relax and let the muscle lengthen.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Lie on one side with legs extended and feet stacked.
- Bend your top knee, drawing the heel toward your glute, and hold the ankle with your hand.
- Keep thighs aligned as you gently pull the heel closer and breathe into the stretch.
Tips
- Press your hips slightly forward to deepen the stretch.
- Bend the bottom leg a little for extra stability.
Adjustments
- Loop a strap or towel around your foot if reaching with your hand is tough.
Knees-to-Chest
Duration: 00:30
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.
Finish with a gentle walk or shake-out to seal in the release.
