Does this stretch also target hip-flexors?

[Seb]

I'm not totally sure where quadriceps end and hip-flexor begin, but if I do this stretch and put the hips forward a bit and tighten my stomach, then it FEELS like it MIGHT target hipflexor.
Does anyone know?

Since I have serious problems with hip-flexors and the regular stretches, I thought maybe I could just do this one, which doesn't put any weight on the leg while stretching....it might just be more safe for me for the moment.

http://www.trickstutorials.com/images/s51.jpg

[frozenpeon]

Yes, It stretches the hip flexor if you push your hips forward.

Can you do this one?
http://www.trickstutorials.com/images/s59.jpg

[dylanross10]

Yes, It stretches the hip flexor if you push your hips forward.

Can you do this one?
http://www.trickstutorials.com/images/s59.jpg

I have a lot of problems with my hip also and this stretch really helps a lot

[Seb]

Yeah I've been doing that other stretch for a while, and I dont know if its that one thats made my hip-flexors ache so damn much, or if its the very limited amount of dynamic stretching (kicking straight forward) I'm doing too.

I thought I'd get of the stretch for a while and see if they get better, and then I can at least get a little hip-flexor stretch from the quadriceps stretch if I tighten stomach and stuff :)
It really feels like it targets hip-flexors, and if you say so too it just might be right ;)

[Jackamaideshwang]

Rectus femoris is also a hip flexor - it would seem you're stretching that, or your illiospoas are really tight to begin with- then it would be stretching that- assuming you cant take a proper stride when you walk.

[Seb]

Well I can take normal strides when walking, but I have a bad posture down there with a butt pointing out at the back and the stomach hanging out in the front.....I've heard that has to do with, among others, tight hip-flexors.
But since I get aching hip-flexors from something (probably that "sitting" stretch) I might replace it as a test with only the standing quadriceps stretch and see what hip-flexors say about that.

[Ashtar]

I wonder how valuable stretching the rectus femoris really is though, if it were really tight then you'd expect it to help counter tight hamstrings (since it's the hamstrings' antagonist) but instead it just gets overactively insufficient during forward bends. It'd be valuable once you actually have a front split and you want to bend the knee, but before that I think it's other hip flexors which are actually the tight ones.

[Jackamaideshwang]

ah righty, yeah i guess if you feel a stretch when you do the quadriceps one do it, but also do hip flexors once your done with your experiment. I find a good one is to go into a split position and just relax your hip flexors, no hands on the ground either. That and PNF stretching. In both stretches it'd be a good idea to strengthen your hip flexors to maximise the effectiveness of stretching, and it's a good warmup.
Lay on your back and bring your legs up as far as you can, one legged, bent and straight as you get stronger. You'll find that if you keep your lower back rounded (touching the floor) it'l target your abdominals (look for "lower abdominal" exercises and you'll find out about them, some might be BS in explanation, but the principle is the same) at the same time and make the exercise alot safer (lower back pain can result from leg raises with bad form). A good regular stretching routine will hopefully stop any tight or achey muscles after stretching after a week or so. Hopefully this will help, and if anyone finds this is bullshit please correct me.

[Ashtar]

Putting hands down can take you further, but when people haven't gotten far in splits, they sometimes do this by putting their arms in front instead of directly down at the sides. This emphasizes stretching the hamstring of the front leg instead of the hip flexors of the back leg.

[tuareg]

I would do this http://www.trickstutorials.com/images/s60.jpg
and it's variations.

Or this http://www.trickstutorials.com/images/s63.jpg
and it's variations.

If it's too much of a challenge at the moment, then go for any lighter stretch. Like so http://www.trickstutorials.com/images/s70.jpg

But i'd definitely get back to the first ones i suggested. They're pretty much the best stretches for this.

[Zeff]

I would do this http://www.trickstutorials.com/images/s60.jpg
and it's variations.

Or this http://www.trickstutorials.com/images/s63.jpg
and it's variations.

If it's too much of a challenge at the moment, then go for any lighter stretch. Like so http://www.trickstutorials.com/images/s70.jpg

But i'd definitely get back to the first ones i suggested. They're pretty much the best stretches for this.

I have extremely tight lower back/hips, and doing the last "lighter" stretch you mentioned is completely impossible without incredible amounts of pain. :worry:

[tuareg]

That's odd. And i thought i have shit hips/glutes :/

In that case try searching for different stretches in juji's flexibility writeup. I have bad hip flexibility, but none of those cause me any pain.

[Ewasiuk]

I would do this http://www.trickstutorials.com/images/s60.jpg
and it's variations.

Or this http://www.trickstutorials.com/images/s63.jpg
and it's variations.

If it's too much of a challenge at the moment, then go for any lighter stretch. Like so http://www.trickstutorials.com/images/s70.jpg

But i'd definitely get back to the first ones i suggested. They're pretty much the best stretches for this.

These stretch the glutes for me.

[tuareg]

yeah i know, mine glutes feel like getting ripped apart haha.

but i can feel it in my hip-flexors as well.

[Zeff]

I injured my lower back snowboarding, and it's been as tight as an ejaculating nutsack ever since. Gotta loosen her up slowly but it's slow coming and the pain is pretty intense.

[tuareg]

You may want to try some lower back stretches then as well. Again, juji has a handful of good stretches for that too :good:

Although if you injured your lower back you may need to see a doctor rather than stretching it. Depends on the pain and the way you injured it.