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🦴Hip Exercises — Mobility, Strength, and Control

Hip · The hip is a deep, stable ball-and-socket joint that bears several times body weight during walking and running, making it a common site of both overuse pain and degenerative change.

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Quick answers

What causes hip pain in older adults?

Osteoarthritis is among the most common causes of hip pain after middle age, involving gradual breakdown of the joint's cartilage and associated changes in the surrounding bone and soft tissue.

What is greater trochanteric pain syndrome?

Greater trochanteric pain syndrome describes pain at the outer hip related to irritation of the gluteal tendons or the nearby bursa, often mistaken in the past for bursitis alone.

What is femoroacetabular impingement?

Femoroacetabular impingement describes abnormal contact between the femoral head and the hip socket during certain movements, related to subtle variations in bone shape, which can contribute to groin pain and reduced range of motion in some individuals.

Does hip osteoarthritis always require surgery?

Many cases of hip osteoarthritis are managed for years with exercise, weight management, and activity modification; joint replacement is typically considered when conservative measures no longer provide adequate relief.

Can weak glute muscles cause hip pain?

Reduced strength or endurance in the gluteal muscles is commonly associated with several hip and even knee conditions, since these muscles are central to controlling pelvis and leg alignment during walking and running.

What is a hip labral tear?

A hip labral tear is damage to the ring of cartilage that deepens the hip socket, which can occur from trauma, repetitive impingement, or gradual wear, and may contribute to pain, clicking, or a sense of instability.

Start with this section - Exercise menu

Hip exercise programs typically combine mobility work to maintain joint range with strengthening focused on the gluteal muscles, which play a central role in controlling pelvic and leg alignment.

For conditions like osteoarthritis, guidelines from bodies such as the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons consistently recommend exercise as a first-line management strategy alongside weight management where relevant.

Typical exercise menu

Simple picture of a move already published on this page — not a prescription or medical advice.

Follow the movementHip flexor stretch2 × 3 each side, held 20–30s
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Person performing a kneeling hip flexor stretch

Hip flexor stretch

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2 × 3 each side, held 20–30s

In a kneeling lunge position, gently shift the hips forward while keeping the trunk upright to stretch the front of the hip.

Follow the movementClamshell3 × 12 each side
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Person lying on their side performing a clamshell exercise

Clamshell

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3 × 12 each side

Lying on the side with knees bent, lift the top knee while keeping the feet together and the pelvis still.

Follow the movementGlute bridge3 × 12
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Person performing a glute bridge exercise

Glute bridge

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3 × 12

Lying on the back with knees bent, lift the hips by squeezing the glutes without overarching the low back.

Follow the movementStanding hip abduction3 × 12 each side
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Person performing a standing hip abduction exercise

Standing hip abduction

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3 × 12 each side

Standing tall, lift one leg out to the side with control, keeping the trunk stable and avoiding hip hiking.

Follow the movementSide-lying hip abduction with band3 × 12 each side
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Side-lying hip abduction with band

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3 × 12 each side

Lying on the side with a light band above the knees, lift the top leg against resistance while keeping the hips stacked.

Follow the movementBodyweight squat3 × 12
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Bodyweight squat

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3 × 12

Lower the hips back and down while keeping the knees tracking over the feet, then return to standing.

Follow the movementStep-up3 × 10 each side
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Step-up

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3 × 10 each side

Step up onto a stable platform leading with one leg, controlling the movement on both the way up and down.

Follow the movementSingle-leg Romanian deadlift3 × 8 each side
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Single-leg Romanian deadlift

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3 × 8 each side

Balancing on one leg, hinge forward at the hip while extending the other leg behind for counterbalance, then return to standing.

Progression generally moves from isolated gluteal activation toward more functional, weight-bearing movements that mirror the demands of walking, stair climbing, and sport.

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