Anatomy of the Hip Flexor Muscles

The Iliopsoas actually consists of two muscles: the Iliacus and the Psoas Major. Together, they are known as the Iliopsoas.

The Iliacus originates on the pelvic crest and attaches on the femur.

The Psoas Major, the longer of the two muscles, originates on the lumbar vertebrae and attaches to the femur.

Not shown in this picture is the Rectus Femoris. It is one of the four Quadriceps muscles and the only one that crosses the hip joint. This crossing of the hip joint enables it to operate as a hip flexor as well as a knee extensor (straightening the knee).

Overdeveloped and tight hip flexors can contribute to lower back pain by causing the pelvis to tilt forward. To counteract this, you must stretch the hip flexors and strengthen the Abdominal muscles. This will reduce pelvic tilt and decrease lower back pain. Strengthening the lower back can also help improve the balance between the muscles of the hip region.

The function of the Iliopsoas is hip flexion, which means bringing the thigh up towards the abdomen. The hip flexors are also active when the abdomen is being moved towards the thighs, e.g. sit-ups

Exercises that work the Hip Flexors include:

• Sit-ups
• Leg raises
• Hanging leg raises
• Resisted hip flexion

4 Unique Workouts
for Chiseled Abs

Did you know that 99% of "conventional" ab workouts and exercises target the hip flexors more than the abs? It's true.

"Hip-flexor dominant" exercises and technique is at the heart of inferior ab development which is why I would like to share this brand new article from a professional fitness model sharing his 4 unique ab workouts:

==> 4 Unique Workouts for Chiseled Abs

Not knowing how to de-emphasize your hip flexors will cripple your ability to reveal the full shape and separation of your abdominals -- not to mention the lower back pain and poor posture that can occur with overdeveloped hip flexors.

==> 4 Unique Workouts for Chiseled Abs