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90/90 Stretch
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90/90 Stretch

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How to Perform

  1. Sit on the floor with your right leg positioned at a 90-degree angle in front of your body and your left leg positioned at a 90-degree angle to your left side.
  2. Keep your right knee on the floor with your foot facing left, and keep your left knee on the floor with your foot facing backward.
  3. Maintain a tall spine with both sit bones firmly on the ground and your hands placed on the floor in front of you for support.
  4. Inhale deeply and lengthen your spine, then exhale as you gently rotate your torso toward your front (right) leg while keeping your hips stable.
  5. Hold this position for 3-5 deep breaths, focusing on relaxing into the stretch while maintaining proper alignment in your hips and spine.
  6. Return to center, then rotate your body to face forward again before switching leg positions.
  7. Repeat the setup with your left leg in front at 90 degrees and your right leg out to the side at 90 degrees.
  8. Perform the same rotation toward your front (left) leg, breathing deeply and holding for 3-5 breaths before returning to center.

Important information

  • Keep both sit bones firmly planted on the ground throughout the exercise to ensure proper hip positioning and maximize the stretch benefits.
  • If you experience any pinching sensation in your hips, slightly adjust your leg position until you feel a comfortable stretch.
  • Focus on rotating from your core rather than just leaning forward to achieve proper muscle engagement.
  • Begin with shorter hold times (15-20 seconds) if you're new to this stretch, gradually increasing duration as your mobility improves.

Exercise Details

Primary Muscles

Glutes Hip Flexors

Muscle Groups

Glute exercises

Mechanic

Isolation

Risk Areas

Glutes

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The 90/90 Stretch is a gentle yet highly effective mobility exercise that targets multiple areas of the lower body simultaneously, making it perfect for beginners looking to improve their hip function. This versatile stretch primarily engages the glutes and hip flexors, providing a deep release in areas that commonly become tight from prolonged sitting or intense workouts. As both a recovery tool and preparatory movement, the 90/90 Stretch earns its place in cool-down routines, recovery sessions, and warm-ups alike. Its ability to open the hips in multiple planes of motion makes it particularly valuable before activities requiring hip mobility, such as squats, lunges, or athletic movements that involve changing direction. 

What makes the 90/90 particularly special is how it combines stretching and mobility work in one efficient position. The stretch addresses external and internal rotation of the hips simultaneously, which helps restore natural movement patterns that may become restricted through daily activities or exercise. Many fitness professionals consider this movement a cornerstone of hip maintenance, especially for those dealing with discomfort or restrictions in their hip complex. Regular practice of the 90/90 Stretch can progressively improve your overall hip mobility, potentially enhancing athletic performance and reducing the risk of compensatory movements that might lead to injury. 

The beauty of this stretch lies in its simplicity and adaptability: it can be modified to accommodate different flexibility levels, making it accessible to virtually anyone. For optimal results, the 90/90 Stretch works best when performed consistently as part of a comprehensive mobility routine. Many find it beneficial to incorporate this movement daily, particularly after long periods of sitting, to reset hip positioning and maintain healthy movement patterns in this crucial joint complex.

FAQ - 90/90 Stretch

What muscles does the 90/90 Stretch target?

The 90/90 Stretch primarily targets the hip rotators, glutes, and hip flexors while also engaging the lower back and core stabilizers. It's especially effective at addressing both internal and external hip rotation simultaneously, making it more comprehensive than many other hip mobility exercises.

Is the 90/90 Stretch safe for people with knee problems?

Yes, the 90/90 Stretch is generally safe for those with knee issues when performed correctly, as it places minimal stress on the knee joints. If you experience discomfort, try placing a folded towel under your knees for extra cushioning, and focus on keeping the movement in your hips rather than forcing the knees.

How long should I hold the 90/90 Stretch?

Hold each position of the 90/90 Stretch for 30-60 seconds, breathing deeply to enhance the release. For therapeutic purposes or significant mobility restrictions, you might benefit from longer holds of 1-2 minutes per side, performed 1-3 times.

What are common mistakes to avoid with the 90/90 Stretch?

The most common mistakes include rounding the lower back instead of maintaining a neutral spine, rushing through the positions rather than holding them, and forcing the stretch beyond comfortable limits. Focus on proper alignment by sitting tall through your spine and allowing your body to ease into the stretch gradually with each breath.

How often should I include the 90/90 Stretch in my routine?

For optimal results, include the 90/90 Stretch 3-5 times per week, particularly after sitting for extended periods or following lower body workouts. Daily practice can be beneficial if you have significant hip mobility restrictions or if you spend most of your day seated at a desk.

Alternative Exercises

Standing Hip Flexor Stretch

Standing Hip Flexor Stretch

The Standing Hip Flexor Stretch offers a simple yet effective way to release tension in the front of your hips, an area that often tightens due to prolonged sitting or intense physical activity. This beginner-friendly stretch targets the hip flexor muscles—primarily the iliopsoas and rectus femoris—which play crucial roles in everyday movements like walking and climbing stairs. When incorporated into your recovery routine, this stretch helps alleviate the stiffness that accumulates after workouts, particularly following lower-body training sessions. The gentle lengthening of these muscles promotes better circulation to the area, facilitating faster recovery and reduced soreness. Many fitness enthusiasts find this stretch equally valuable as part of their cool-down ritual, helping the body transition from high-intensity exercise back to a resting state. As a warm-up element, the Standing Hip Flexor Stretch prepares your hips for movement by increasing blood flow and temporarily improving range of motion before you tackle more demanding activities. This preparation is especially beneficial before exercises that require hip extension, such as lunges, squats, or running. Beyond its immediate benefits, regular practice of this stretch contributes to enhanced mobility throughout the hip complex. The modern lifestyle, characterized by extended periods of sitting, often leads to chronically shortened hip flexors, which can contribute to postural issues and lower back discomfort. By consistently stretching these muscles, you work toward restoring proper length-tension relationships in the hip region. The beauty of this stretch lies in its accessibility—it requires no equipment and minimal space, making it perfect for a quick mobility break during your workday or as part of a more comprehensive stretching routine. While seemingly simple, the Standing Hip Flexor Stretch delivers significant benefits for everyday movement quality and athletic performance when performed regularly with proper attention to form and breathing.

Stretching
Mobility
Recovery
Cool-down
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Bodyweight exercises
Foam Roller Tensor Fasciae Latae (TFL) Release

Foam Roller Tensor Fasciae Latae (TFL) Release

The Foam Roller Tensor Fasciae Latae Release is an effective way to relieve tension in the front and outer part of your hips. This small but important muscle, the tensor fasciae latae, works alongside the hip flexors and the iliotibial (IT) band to stabilize your pelvis during movement. Because it’s active in almost every lower-body exercise and even while walking or sitting, it often becomes overworked and tight. Using a foam roller helps reduce this tension, improving hip mobility and comfort during squats, running, or daily activities.When used before training, this release prepares your hips for movement by increasing blood flow and reducing stiffness in the connective tissue around the TFL and IT band. After workouts, it helps accelerate recovery by easing muscle tightness and improving circulation in the hip region. Regularly including this technique in your mobility routine can help prevent imbalances and reduce discomfort around the hips and knees.The strength of this mobility exercise lies in its simplicity. By targeting the tensor fasciae latae directly, you’re not only improving local flexibility but also promoting better movement patterns through the entire hip complex. Releasing tension in this area often eases strain on neighboring muscles such as the glutes, hamstrings, and lower back, leading to smoother, more efficient movement.Whether you’re new to foam rolling or experienced with recovery tools, the Foam Roller Tensor Fasciae Latae Release is easy to learn and self-regulated — you control the pressure and range. A few minutes of consistent practice can lead to noticeably freer hips, improved posture, and a lower risk of overuse injuries, proving that small, targeted recovery habits can make a big difference in overall performance.

Stretching
Mobility
Recovery
Cool-down
+1
Foam roller
Child's Pose

Child's Pose

Child's Pose, often referred to as the resting pose in yoga practice, offers an accessible entry point for beginners while providing profound benefits for more advanced fitness enthusiasts. This gentle position primarily targets the erector spinae: those important muscles running along your spine, while also providing a mild release for the glutes, making it perfect for anyone experiencing tightness in the lower back region. What makes Child's Pose particularly valuable is its versatility within a fitness routine. As a recovery position, it allows the body to reset between more challenging exercises, bringing the heart rate down while maintaining engagement. During cool-down sequences, it helps transition the body from an active state to rest, signaling to your nervous system that the intense work is complete. Alternatively, incorporating it into your warm-up routine gently awakens the spine and prepares the back muscles for more demanding movements ahead. The pose primarily functions as a stretching exercise, creating gentle elongation through the entire posterior chain from the ankles to the neck. This stretching quality makes it exceptional for releasing tension that accumulates throughout the day, especially for those who spend hours sitting at desks. Beyond simple stretching, Child's Pose enhances mobility by encouraging the natural articulation of the spine and promoting healthy range of motion in the hips. Perhaps what's most remarkable about Child's Pose is its dual nature: simultaneously calming the mind while physically preparing the body. The position naturally encourages deeper breathing patterns, which activates the parasympathetic nervous system. This physiological response helps reduce cortisol levels and creates a moment of mindfulness even within a physically-focused training session. For athletes dealing with recovery from more intense workouts, this meditative quality offers both mental and physical restoration.

Stretching
Mobility
Recovery
Cool-down
+1
Bodyweight exercises
Worlds Greatest Stretch

Worlds Greatest Stretch

The World's Greatest Stretch has earned its ambitious name for good reason - it's a comprehensive dynamic movement that targets multiple muscle groups and joint systems simultaneously. This beginner-friendly sequence efficiently addresses tight hip flexors, hamstrings, quads, and glutes in one fluid motion, making it perfect for both warm-up routines and post-workout recovery sessions. What makes this stretch truly exceptional is how it combines stretching and mobility work into a single integrated movement pattern. As you flow through the positions, your body experiences a balance of passive lengthening and active engagement, allowing you to improve flexibility while maintaining stability. The hip flexors - often shortened from prolonged sitting - receive particular attention, helping counteract the postural challenges of our modern lifestyle. Fitness professionals regularly incorporate this versatility champion into training programs because it prepares the body for activity by increasing blood flow to major muscle groups while simultaneously improving range of motion. The hamstrings and quads, which function as opposing muscle pairs, benefit from the alternating tension and release, promoting better muscular balance around the knee joint. Meanwhile, the glutes - our body's power center - are activated and lengthened, enhancing their function for subsequent exercises. Beyond its physical benefits, the World's Greatest Stretch serves as a useful assessment tool, revealing potential mobility restrictions or imbalances between sides. Many athletes and fitness enthusiasts report that regular practice improves their performance in everything from squats to running by creating more efficient movement patterns and reducing compensations. Whether used during a dedicated stretching session or as part of a dynamic warm-up, this movement delivers exceptional value for the time invested. Its accessibility to beginners coupled with the capacity for advanced modifications makes it truly versatile for all fitness levels, living up to its somewhat boastful but well-deserved title as one of the most efficient stretching sequences available.

Stretching
Mobility
Warm-up
Recovery
Bodyweight exercises