Deadlifting is important for every athlete.
The Hip Hinge movement is used in many movements including Deadlifts, Good Mornings and Kettle Bell Swings.
Many of these movements will be performed many times with the stresses of speed, load, intensity and the resulting fatigue.
So how do we keep hip hinge function optimal for multi-rep movements.
What is a Hip Hinge?
The hinge involves a flexion/extension movement that originates in the hips and involves a posterior weight shift. When done correctly, it can be one of the more powerful movement patterns you can perform.
Often considered one of the primal movement patterns (one that we are all physiologically designed to execute with ease), the hip hinge offers many benefits:
It opens up hamstring flexibility and offers mobility through the hip joint
Builds symmetry and reduces injury
Shortens the learning curve when introducing more complex movements/exercises
Serves as a great assessment to diagnose flexibility/mobility issues as well as a weak or unstable core area
Is great for un-doing some of the damage that prolonged sitting can do to the body
Unfortunately, many people have no concept on how to hinge properly or disregard the movement as unnecessary because of it looks too “simple.”
But, as legendary strength coach and author Dan John said,
“The truth is, the hinge, in its own right, is more powerful than the squat.”
How To Hip Hinge:
The first thing to understand is the difference between a hinge and a squat:
Squat: Maximal knee bend and maximal hip bend
Hinge: Minimal knee bend and maximal hip bend
https://www.johnsonfitness.com/blog/awesome-exercises-you-need-to-be-doing-the-hip-hinge/
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMeXmOqG2vE
