Standing Hip Extension

Hip joint exercise for seniors and the elderly like the leg extensions below are an important and vital component of a good lower body strengthening program.

When practiced regularly, these exercises will add to your leg strength and balance as you age. These exercises will firm and tone your buttock muscles as well as stretch your hip flexors.

Try not to arch your back when performing this exercise which may strain your lower back. Strengthening these muscles will assist in walking and standing. Add this to your workout with the correct posture and strengthen those legs!

Purpose of this exercise

This exercise will help with strengthening the hip muscles. This will improve the ability to walk and propel  yourself forward or up stairs.

Step 1

Stand, using a chair to balance yourself.

Step 2

Extend your leg backward, keeping your knee straight. Return to the start position and repeat 10 times with each leg.

Breathing

Inhale during the upward movement phase. Exhale during the downward movement phase.

Tips

Keep your body erect and ribs lifted during the movement. Try to keep your  knee straight during the move. Tighten your tummy muscles and keep breathing.

Take it up a notch

Add a 2 to 5 pound weight to your ankle for a harder workout. Use one hand, one finger or no hands to balance yourself

How to do Standing Hip Extension

More Lower Body Strengthening

1. Ankle Circles

• This exercise improves your ankle flexibility and ability to move your ankle upward and downward.
• This is a great warm up exercise for the lower leg and feet.

2. Hip Marching

• This exercise will strengthen your hip flexor and thighs.
• With correct seated posture it will also help your abdominal muscles.

3. Knee Extension

• Strengthening your knees width knee strengthening exercises will improve your ability to stand and balance.
• This exercise will improve your available knee range of motion.

4. Calf Raises

• Strengthening your calf muscles with calf exercises will give your more power to step forward on level surfaces or carry you up hills on uneven terrain.
• Helps pump blood up from your legs to your upper-body and brain.

5. Standing Knee Flexion

• These knee exercises strengthens your hamstring muscles.
• Also helps with your standing balance.

6. Side Hip Raise

• Safely strengthens your side hip muscles to help with hip arthritis.
• Helps maintain your lower body endurance to better walk and side step around objects.

7. Sit to Stand

• Excellent hip exercises to maintain your leg and hip strength.
• One of the most important exercises used daily to keep your independence and confidence.

8. Heel Stand

• Strengthens the front part of the lower leg with ankle stretches.
• You will become better able to raise your toes to avoid tripping.

9. Lunges

• To strengthen your quadriceps and hips with leg toning exercises.
• Improve your ability to get out of a chair and balance.
• Help you with lifting chores around the house.

10. Straight Leg Raise

• To increase your quadriceps and hip flexor strength with this leg workout.
• To strengthen your abdominal muscles.
• Allow you to advance your leg during walking with greater ease.

11. Partial Squats

• Increase your hip flexibility, quadriceps strength and hip flexor strength.
• Improve your ability to get up from a chair and walk.
• Steady your body for better balance and safety.

12. Hip Extension

• This exercise will help with strengthening the hip joint and muscles.
• This will improve the ability to walk and propel yourself forward or up stairs.

Resources Family Caregivers https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/pdf/STEADI-CaregiverBrochure.pdf