{"id":65317,"date":"2021-06-08T08:00:19","date_gmt":"2021-06-08T13:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/barbend.com\/?p=65317"},"modified":"2024-06-17T15:55:30","modified_gmt":"2024-06-17T19:55:30","slug":"hip-hinge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/barbend.com\/hip-hinge\/","title":{"rendered":"The Hip Hinge Will Make Or Break Your Big Lifts. Here&#8217;s How to Do it"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The hip hinge is more than an exercise. It\u2019s a fundamental movement necessary for success in the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/deadlift\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">deadlift<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/weightlifting\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Olympic lifts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and more. Lifters can unlock their strength potential and protect themselves from injury by mastering the hip hinge early in their career and often keeping it in their program. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/hamstrings-exercises\/#:~:text=The%20hamstrings%20are%20composed%20of,a%20role%20in%20hip%20extension.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">strong hamstrings<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/lower-back-exercises\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">healthy back<\/span><\/a>,<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and a huge deadlift, the hip hinge is a must.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this article, we\u2019ll cover everything you need to know about the hip hinge, including:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"#HOW\">How to Do the Hip Hinge<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"#BEN\">Benefits of the Hip Hinge<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"#MUSC\">Muscles Worked by the Hip Hinge<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"#WHO\">Who Should Do the Hip Hinge<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"#SRP\">Hip Hinge Sets, Reps, and Programming Recommendations<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"#EXC\">Hip Hinge Exercises<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"#FAQ\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"sc-namejump-anchorhowhow-to-do-the-hip-hinge\"><strong><a id=\"HOW\" class=\"linkj\"><\/a>\r\n<\/strong><strong>How to Do the Hip Hinge&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/romanian-deadlift\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Romanian deadlift<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the best example of a pure hip hinge exercise. To benefit from this exercise and its variations, you need to develop pristine hip hinge technique. Working with a dowel rod is a great way to lock in your hinge technique before adding weight in the form of deadlifts.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"step-1-setting-up-the-hip-hinge\"><strong>Step 1 \u2014 Setting Up the Hip Hinge<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_119273\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-119273\" style=\"width: 760px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-119273 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-1.jpg\" alt=\"Hip Hinge Step 1\" width=\"760\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-1.jpg 760w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-1-50x28.jpg 50w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-1-489x275.jpg 489w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-1-360x203.jpg 360w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-1-750x421.jpg 750w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-1-214x120.jpg 214w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-1-130x73.jpg 130w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-1-560x315.jpg 560w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-1-345x194.jpg 345w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-1-650x365.jpg 650w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-119273\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Courtesy of Barr Health and Fitness on YouTube<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Place the dowel rod on your back to make contact with your head, your mid-back between your shoulder blades, and your lower back. Place your hands wherever they are comfortable. Dowel rods are ideal, but something similar like a broomstick works just fine.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Form Tip:<\/strong>&nbsp;<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To fold forward while maintaining contact with the rod, most lifters will need to bend their knees. Although the knees do bend, they do not project forwards. Think of this as a softening of the knees to allow the hips to project backward. Keep your feet flat and solid on the ground as your weight shifts.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"step-2-fold-at-the-waist\"><strong>Step 2 \u2014 Fold at the Waist<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_119275\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-119275\" style=\"width: 760px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-119275 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-2.jpg\" alt=\"Hip Hinge Step 2\" width=\"760\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-2.jpg 760w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-2-50x28.jpg 50w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-2-489x275.jpg 489w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-2-360x203.jpg 360w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-2-750x421.jpg 750w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-2-214x120.jpg 214w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-2-130x73.jpg 130w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-2-560x315.jpg 560w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-2-345x194.jpg 345w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-2-650x365.jpg 650w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-119275\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Courtesy of Barr Health and Fitness on YouTube<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fold forward at the waist, bringing your chest down towards the floor while maintaining contact between the rod and the three points of contact \u2014 the tailbone, mid-back, and head. You want your spine to maintain the same shape and position that it has while you are standing. Stop when your chest is about parallel to the ground, and you <a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/best-hamstring-exercises\/\">feel a stretch in your hamstrings<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Form Tip:<\/strong> Although there are times when lifters can deviate from a true neutral position safely, it is wise first to familiarize yourself with a neutral position so that any deviations from the neutral position are deliberate and not a result of poor technique.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"step-3-stand-back-up\"><strong>Step 3 \u2014 Stand Back Up<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_119273\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-119273\" style=\"width: 760px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-119273 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-1.jpg\" alt=\"Hip Hinge Step 3\" width=\"760\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-1.jpg 760w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-1-50x28.jpg 50w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-1-489x275.jpg 489w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-1-360x203.jpg 360w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-1-750x421.jpg 750w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-1-214x120.jpg 214w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-1-130x73.jpg 130w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-1-560x315.jpg 560w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-1-345x194.jpg 345w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hip-Hinge-Step-1-650x365.jpg 650w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-119273\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Courtesy of Barr Health and Fitness on YouTube<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you\u2019ve reached the bottom position, push your hips forward to stand back up. Fully extend but do not overextend the hips. Squeeze your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">glutes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as you approach the end of and complete the rep.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The dowel rod is a tool to help you learn how your own optimal hinging movement pattern. Once you have a strong sense of the movement, the next step is to add some weight.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Form Tip:<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you add weight, be sure to keep the weight close to you by engaging your lats. The hinge is a great opportunity to start developing the skill of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/deadlift-cues-stronger-lifts\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lat tension<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;required for successful deadlifting. Progress from kettlebell or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/are-dumbbell-deadlifts-worth-doing\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dumbbell variations<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to the barbell when your strength allows.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"videos\">\n<div class=\"video-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"container-lazyload preview-lazyload container-youtube js-lazyload--not-loaded\"><a href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=7GGTxwE573A\" class=\"lazy-load-youtube preview-lazyload preview-youtube\" data-video-title=\"Hinge - Dowel on Back\" title=\"Play video &quot;Hinge - Dowel on Back&quot;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=7GGTxwE573A<\/a><noscript>Video can&#8217;t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: <a href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=7GGTxwE573A\" title=\"Hinge - Dowel on Back\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hinge &#8211; Dowel on Back (https:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=7GGTxwE573A)<\/a><\/noscript><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><em><strong>[Related: Everything You Need to Know to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/build-workout-program\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Build Your First Workout Program<\/a>]<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"sc-namejump-anchorbenbenefits-of-the-hip-hinge\"><strong><a id=\"BEN\" class=\"linkj\"><\/a>\r\n<\/strong><strong>Benefits of the Hip Hinge<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The hip hinge builds a strong and resilient <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/posterior-chain-teddy-willsey\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">posterior chain<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Working on hip hinge-based exercises like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/news\/romanian-deadlift-benefits\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Romanian deadlifts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can <a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/how-to-build-muscle\/\">build muscle<\/a>, enhance athletic performance, <a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/how-to-increase-strength\/\">increase strength<\/a>, and improve <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/managing-injury-risk\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">resistance to injury<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Here are some of the main benefits of the hip hinge.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"hamstring-length-and-strength\"><strong>Hamstring Length and Strength<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The hip hinge has a strong <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/news\/6-ways-eccentric-load-exercises\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">eccentric component<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where the lifter resists the pull of gravity to lower the weight under tension and control. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/news\/simple-ways-test-hamstrings-weak\/\">Eccentric training of the hamstrings<\/a> helps make them stronger and increases their resilience to injury<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<a href=\"https:\/\/ijspt.scholasticahq.com\/article\/19452-a-preseason-training-program-with-the-nordic-hamstring-exercise-increases-eccentric-knee-flexor-strength-and-fascicle-length-in-professional-female-soccer-players\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">1<\/a>). Eccentric training can also increase muscle fascicle length and allows the hamstrings to function optimally, allowing the lifter to avoid movement compensations \u2014 where other muscles take over to complete a lift when the target muscle is too weak \u2014 in certain positions.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"a-stronger-safer-deadlift\"><strong>A Stronger, Safer Deadlift<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A solid hip hinge is a critical component of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/undeniable-benefits-of-deadlifts\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">deadlift<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Lifters who begin to train <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/sumo-versus-conventional-deadlift\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">conventional deadlifts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before mastering the hip hinge will be shortchanging themselves and leaving themselves vulnerable to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/lifting-injury-recovery\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">injury<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Having a strong hinge helps lifters keep their deadlifts efficient and help prevent technique breaking down with heavier loads, resulting in an injury.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"spine-health\"><strong>Spine Health<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ability to hinge properly means keeping your spine neutral. This is especially important in the gym and when picking up objects like a heavy grocery bag without a rounded spine. Using a hip hinge for day-to-day tasks means less <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/back-pain-deadlifting-squatting\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wear and tear on the spine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This means a lower risk of injury and being able to push it that much harder in your training sessions.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"sc-namejump-anchormuscmuscles-worked-by-the-hip-hinge\"><strong><a id=\"MUSC\" class=\"linkj\"><\/a>\r\n<\/strong><strong>Muscles Worked by the Hip Hinge<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The muscles worked in a hip hinge-based exercise vary somewhat depending on the exact exercise. Regardless of the variation, all hip hinge exercises primarily train the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/hamstrings-exercises-strong-legs\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hamstrings<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">glutes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and muscles of the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lower back<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, known as the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/strengthen-posterior-chain\/#:~:text=The%20posterior%20chain%20is%20a,that%20drive%20your%20athletic%20movement.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">posterior chain<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"hamstrings\"><strong>Hamstrings<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/news\/simple-ways-test-hamstrings-weak\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hamstrings<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are the prime mover in the hip hinge. The hamstrings originate from the ischium (the base of the pelvis) and insert on the tibia and fibula. As you hinge forwards, the origin of the hamstrings moves upwards, away from the insertion, increasing length and tension on these muscles.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"glutes\"><strong>Glutes<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The glutes are not subjected to the same extent of stretch or eccentric overload as the hamstrings, but they are involved and trained in the hip hinge. The hip hinge can help strengthen and develop the glutes. It\u2019s useful to train the hamstrings and glutes to work together since they often do so in the weight room, sport, and day-to-day life.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"lower-back\"><strong>Lower Back<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The muscles of the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lower back<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are also called the spinal erectors. Although they do not generate movement in the hip hinge, they work isometrically to help maintain the strong spinal position throughout the movement. This helps develop strength and endurance in this important muscle group.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><em>[Read More: <\/em><\/b><b><em><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/best-lower-back-exercises\/\">Best Lower Back Exercises<\/a><\/em><\/b><b><em> for Strength and Reduced Pain]<\/em><\/b><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"sc-namejump-anchoranatomywho-should-do-the-hip-hinge\"><strong><a id=\"ANATOMY\" class=\"linkj\"><\/a>\r\n<\/strong><strong>Who Should Do the Hip Hinge<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Everyone! As long as you can perform the movement without pain and compensation, everyone can benefit from having the hip hinge in their program.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_119302\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-119302\" style=\"width: 760px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-119302\" src=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/BarBend-Article-Image-760-x-427-2021-06-08T134926.604.jpg\" alt=\"Man doing kettlebell Romanian deadlift\" width=\"760\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/BarBend-Article-Image-760-x-427-2021-06-08T134926.604.jpg 760w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/BarBend-Article-Image-760-x-427-2021-06-08T134926.604-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/BarBend-Article-Image-760-x-427-2021-06-08T134926.604-50x28.jpg 50w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/BarBend-Article-Image-760-x-427-2021-06-08T134926.604-489x275.jpg 489w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/BarBend-Article-Image-760-x-427-2021-06-08T134926.604-360x203.jpg 360w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/BarBend-Article-Image-760-x-427-2021-06-08T134926.604-750x421.jpg 750w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/BarBend-Article-Image-760-x-427-2021-06-08T134926.604-214x120.jpg 214w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/BarBend-Article-Image-760-x-427-2021-06-08T134926.604-130x73.jpg 130w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/BarBend-Article-Image-760-x-427-2021-06-08T134926.604-560x315.jpg 560w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/BarBend-Article-Image-760-x-427-2021-06-08T134926.604-345x194.jpg 345w, https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/BarBend-Article-Image-760-x-427-2021-06-08T134926.604-650x365.jpg 650w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-119302\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Srdjan Randjelovic\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3 id=\"strength-athletes\"><strong>Strength Athletes<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The muscles and movement pattern of the hip hinge helps strength athletes reach their peak potential in exercises like the deadlift and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/olympic-weightlifting-sports\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Olympic lifts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It is also a great way to overload the hamstrings. Stronger hamstrings can help <a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/body-conditioning\/\">improve performance<\/a> in any <a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/best-lower-body-exercises\/\">lower body exercise<\/a>, including <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/front-squat\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">squats<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"sport-athletes\"><strong>Sport Athletes<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/hamstring-strain-exercises\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pulled hamstrings<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are an epidemic in field sports like soccer and football. Eccentric training of the hamstrings, as seen in variations of the hip hinge, is a useful strategy for preventing hamstring tears, particularly when done in conjunction with other eccentric exercises like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/nordic-ham-curl\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nordic curls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;and also well-designed sprinting workouts.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"general-population\"><strong>General Population<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even people who don\u2019t lift can benefit from learning the hip hinge. This fundamental movement pattern can help people protect their spines when performing daily tasks like picking objects up off the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"hip-hinge-sets-reps-and-programming-recommendations\"><strong>Hip Hinge Sets, Reps, and Programming Recommendations<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are many different hip hinge exercises, which means there is a world of options for programming them. Here are some general programming recommendations for hip hinge exercises. Treat these as a reference point and adjust them as needed to fit in your program.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"to-increase-strength\"><strong>To Increase Strength<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/romanian-vs-deadlift\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">barbell Romanian deadlift<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is an excellent option to build strength in the hip hinge. <\/span><strong>Three to six sets of five to eight repetitions with two minutes of rest between sets<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a good approach when using this exercise to increase strength. Doing this exercise with loads heavier than a 5RM is not recommended. A conventional deadlift is a better option for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/how-to-increase-strength\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">max strength<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> work.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"to-build-muscle\"><strong>To Build Muscle<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Any hip hinge exercise can be used to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/news\/brad-schoenfeld-hypertrophy\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">build muscle<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><strong>Doing three to six sets of eight to twenty repetitions with one to two minutes of rest between sets<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a good starting point. Time under tension is also an important driver of muscle growth, so exercises can be further manipulated using a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/tempo-training-strength-exercises\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">slower tempo<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"to-increase-muscle-endurance\"><strong>To Increase Muscle Endurance<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Three to six sets of 15 to 30 repetitions<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of any hip hinge-based exercise will develop the local <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/kettlebell-endurance-workouts\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">muscular endurance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the muscles involved in the hip hinge. <\/span><strong>Rest for 45 seconds to 90 seconds between sets.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"sc-namejump-anchorexchip-hinge-exercises\"><strong><a id=\"EXC\" class=\"linkj\"><\/a>\r\n<\/strong><strong>Hip Hinge Exercises<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since the hip hinge is a movement rather than a specific exercise, there are many hip-hinge-based movements. Here are some of the more common and effective variations.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"barbell-romanian-deadlift\"><strong>Barbell Romanian Deadlift<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Romanian deadlift is one of the most popular hip hinge exercises. Compared to standard deadlifts, which have you pull the barbell from the floor each rep, the RDL has you lower the bar to shin level. Therefore, you accumulate a lot of tension in the target muscles. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;In addition to the essential cues of maintaining a strong spine position, the key is to keep the bar close to you so that it travels straight up and down throughout the movement. Actively pull on the bar and keep tension in the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/lats-exercises\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lats<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"videos\">\n<div class=\"video-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"container-lazyload preview-lazyload container-youtube js-lazyload--not-loaded\"><a href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=-ZB0hHAwe0Q\" class=\"lazy-load-youtube preview-lazyload preview-youtube\" data-video-title=\"Barbell Romanian Deadlift\" title=\"Play video &quot;Barbell Romanian Deadlift&quot;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=-ZB0hHAwe0Q<\/a><noscript>Video can&#8217;t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: <a href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=-ZB0hHAwe0Q\" title=\"Barbell Romanian Deadlift\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Barbell Romanian Deadlift (https:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=-ZB0hHAwe0Q)<\/a><\/noscript><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong><em>[Related: The <a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/best-barbells\/\">Best Barbells<\/a> for CrossFit, Weightlifting, Powerlifting, Deadlifts, and More]<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"cable-pull-through\"><strong>Cable Pull Through<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/cable-pull-through\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cable pull-through<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a hip hinge variation that teaches the difference between a hinge and a squat and also develops the sense of a strong <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/fix-weak-deadlift-lockout\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lockout<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> position. Set the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/best-cable-machines\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cable<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the lowest position and attach a rope to the end of the pulley. Stand over top of the rope facing away from the machine. Grab the rope and walk forwards. Find a solid stance and hinge forwards, letting the arms get pulled back towards the cable. The cable pull-through is a useful teaching tool when learning the hinge, and also an effective accessory exercise and a great choice for higher volume sets on workout days that include hip hinging work.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"videos\">\n<div class=\"video-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"container-lazyload preview-lazyload container-youtube js-lazyload--not-loaded\"><a href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=EdgfsY0GWXg\" class=\"lazy-load-youtube preview-lazyload preview-youtube\" data-video-title=\"Cable Pull-Through\" title=\"Play video &quot;Cable Pull-Through&quot;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=EdgfsY0GWXg<\/a><noscript>Video can&#8217;t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: <a href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=EdgfsY0GWXg\" title=\"Cable Pull-Through\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cable Pull-Through (https:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=EdgfsY0GWXg)<\/a><\/noscript><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><em><strong>[Related: The 8&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/best-barbell-exercises\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Best Barbell Exercises<\/a>&nbsp;for Mass, Strength, and Power]<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"band-resisted-hip-hinge\"><strong>Band-Resisted Hip Hinge<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Band<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> resisted hip hinges introduce <a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/accommodating-resistance\">accommodating resistance<\/a>. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/best-resistance-bands\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">resistance band<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> makes the movement harder as you approach the top position due to the band tension, which helps <a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/fix-weak-deadlift-lockout\/\">develop a strong lockout position<\/a>. The feedback of the movement also helps enforce proper mechanics.<\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"videos\">\n<div class=\"video-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"container-lazyload preview-lazyload container-youtube js-lazyload--not-loaded\"><a href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=_OT1Qs70AW0\" class=\"lazy-load-youtube preview-lazyload preview-youtube\" data-video-title=\"Band Resisted Hip Hinge\" title=\"Play video &quot;Band Resisted Hip Hinge&quot;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=_OT1Qs70AW0<\/a><noscript>Video can&#8217;t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: <a href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=_OT1Qs70AW0\" title=\"Band Resisted Hip Hinge\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Band Resisted Hip Hinge (https:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=_OT1Qs70AW0)<\/a><\/noscript><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><em><strong>[Related: 4 Barbell Exercises You Should&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/barbell-exercise-resistance-bands\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Try Adding Bands<\/a>&nbsp;to]<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"good-morning\"><strong>Good Morning<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/good-morning-exercise-guide\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Good Morning<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a hip hinge exercise in the same way as a Romanian deadlift, but the weight is on the shoulders instead of in the hands at the waist. This results in a different muscle activation pattern and is a good way to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/news\/study-exercise-variation\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">program variation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to maximize overall strength and eliminate weaknesses.&nbsp;<\/span> You can also load the good morning with sandbags (shown below), <a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/best-kettlebells\/\">kettlebells<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/barbend.com\/best-dumbbells\/\">dumbbells<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"videos\">\n<div class=\"video-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"container-lazyload preview-lazyload container-youtube js-lazyload--not-loaded\"><a href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=i6sTwkshII0\" class=\"lazy-load-youtube preview-lazyload preview-youtube\" data-video-title=\"Sandbag Goodmorning\" title=\"Play video &quot;Sandbag Goodmorning&quot;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=i6sTwkshII0<\/a><noscript>Video can&#8217;t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: <a href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=i6sTwkshII0\" title=\"Sandbag Goodmorning\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sandbag Goodmorning (https:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=i6sTwkshII0)<\/a><\/noscript><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"sc-namejump-anchorfaqhip-hinge-faqs\"><strong><a id=\"FAQ\" class=\"linkj\"><\/a>\r\n<\/strong><strong>Hip Hinge FAQs<\/strong><\/h2>\n<div class=\"faqs\"><h4><span>Why is the hip hinge so important?<\/span><\/h4><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The hip hinge is a spine-sparing technique that reduces wear and tear on the spine when completing day-to-day tasks and physical work. It is also an essential component of the deadlift. Learning the hip hinge early in your lifting career will help you stay healthy and achieve your true strength potential. Training the hip hinge as an accessory exercise will help increase deadlifting ability.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span>How often should I do hip hinge exercises?<\/span><\/h4><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The exact amount of hip hinge exercises you need depends on the overall structure of your training program. As a general rule, you will want at least one hinge variation in each training week at all times. Hip hinge exercises can be done as the main lift, like a heavy barbell Romanian deadlift. They can be done as a warm-up exercise or an accessory exercise using variations like the cable pull-through.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span>How strict do I need to be about Neutral Spine?<\/span><\/h4><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When performing the hip hinge, you want your spine to maintain the same shape and position while standing. This is sometimes referred to as a neutral spine. A neutral spine is a range of positions, not just one position, and there are times when lifters can lift safely outside of the neutral spine range. To ensure safety and skill mastery, it is wise first to become familiar with the neutral spine position so that any deviations from this position are well thought out and deliberate.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> <script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Why is the hip hinge so important?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The hip hinge is a spine-sparing technique that reduces wear and tear on the spine when completing day-to-day tasks and physical work. It is also an essential component of the deadlift. Learning the hip hinge early in your lifting career will help you stay healthy and achieve your true strength potential. Training the hip hinge as an accessory exercise will help increase deadlifting ability.\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How often should I do hip hinge exercises?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The exact amount of hip hinge exercises you need depends on the overall structure of your training program. As a general rule, you will want at least one hinge variation in each training week at all times. Hip hinge exercises can be done as the main lift, like a heavy barbell Romanian deadlift. They can be done as a warm-up exercise or an accessory exercise using variations like the cable pull-through.<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How strict do I need to be about Neutral Spine?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">When performing the hip hinge, you want your spine to maintain the same shape and position while standing. This is sometimes referred to as a neutral spine. A neutral spine is a range of positions, not just one position, and there are times when lifters can lift safely outside of the neutral spine range. To ensure safety and skill mastery, it is wise first to become familiar with the neutral spine position so that any deviations from this position are well thought out and deliberate.<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n\"}}]}<\/script>\n<h2 id=\"references\"><strong>References<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vianna KB, Rodrigues LG, Oliveira NT, Ribeiro-Alvares JB, Baroni BM. A Preseason Training Program With the Nordic Hamstring Exercise Increases Eccentric Knee Flexor Strength and Fascicle Length in Professional Female Soccer Players. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2021 Apr 1;16(2):459-467. doi: 10.26603\/001c.19452. PMID: 33842041; PMCID: PMC8016438.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><em>Featured image: Srdjan Randjelovic\/Shutterstock<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The hip hinge is more than an exercise. It\u2019s a fundamental movement necessary for success in the deadlift, Olympic lifts, and more. Lifters can unlock their strength potential and protect themselves from injury by mastering the hip hinge early in their career and often keeping it in their program. For strong hamstrings, a healthy back, and a huge&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":208,"featured_media":119303,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"limit_modified_date":"","last_modified_date":"","_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[20665],"tags":[19758],"class_list":{"0":"post-65317","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-exercise-guides","8":"tag-parent-topic-strength-exercise","9":"entry"},"wppr_data":{"cwp_meta_box_check":"No"},"acf":{"breadcrumb_type":"custom","breadcrumbs":[{"breadcrumb_text":"Exercise Guides","breadcrumb_url":"https:\/\/barbend.com\/exercise-guides\/"}],"breadcrumb_title_override":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65317","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/208"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=65317"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65317\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":264434,"href":"https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65317\/revisions\/264434"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/119303"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=65317"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=65317"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/barbend.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=65317"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}