How to Pop Your Hip

Athletes often have many stretches they do that help to align their body and prepare their muscles for various workouts. Agitated joints are often quite painful during workouts, and can even lower performance during competitions. One of the most annoying joints to align or pop is the hip. Knowing a few key stretches that target the lower abdomen will make popping your hip much easier. The most effective pose for popping your hips is actually very simple and allows you to pop your hips while stretching your lower abdomen and upper legs.

Instructions

1. Sit down on the floor with your legs straight out. Make sure there is nothing in the way about an arm's width all around you.

2. Spread one leg off to the side as far as you can go, keeping it flat against the ground. Keep your other leg straight out in front of you and try not to bend either of your knees.

3. Place the hand closest to your outstretched leg on your knee and stretch out as if you were stretching your hamstrings. Now twist your body inward while leaving your legs and arms where you previously placed them.

4. Set your leg straight out in front of you like when you started the stretch. Now move the opposite leg out as far as you can go like you previously did with the other. Place the corresponding hand on your knee and once again stretch down. Twist your torso inward like you did previously until you hear the small popping sound that announces you've popped your hip.

Tips & Warnings

• Every person's body is slightly different. Some tricks that work for popping some people's hips don't always work for others. The best way to pop your hip would be to try different athletic stretches; eventually one of the poses will pop agitated joints. If you have some medical condition or would like to try and pop your hip without getting onto the ground a similar stretch that will achieve the same result if the 'crane' yoga stance. In this stance you stand on one leg, and place the bottom of your foot on the inside of your opposite thigh, bending your knee out wards so your leg is parallel from your waist. Once you're in this stance put your palms together and against your chest as if you are praying, and slowly stretch your arms up straightening your back.