{"id":13530,"date":"2025-02-03T22:24:29","date_gmt":"2025-02-03T22:24:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/picknbags.com\/?p=13530"},"modified":"2025-02-03T22:24:29","modified_gmt":"2025-02-03T22:24:29","slug":"hip-airplane-exercise-benefits-and-steps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/styletechemporium.co.uk\/?p=13530","title":{"rendered":"Hip airplane exercise: Benefits and steps"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<p> Improve your balance, and hip mobility by mimicking the motion of a flying airplane. Spread your arms, and balance on one leg to do the hip airplane exercise.<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Squats and lunges may be your go-to exercises to strengthen your lower body. Add the hip airplane to this list to make your legs, and hips stronger. Your legs, and hips have to be in good shape, as they support your body, and keep you moving. This exercise, which involves spreading out your arms, and standing on one leg, can help to improve balance, and mobility of your hips. It may look like child\u2019s play, but it is not that simple to do this exercise. Coordination failure can lead to a fall, and you can end up with injuries. That\u2019s why it is important to learn how to do it properly.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"hip_airplane_exercise\">What is the hip airplane exercise?<\/h2>\n<p>The hip airplane exercise is carefully designed for dynamic balance to enhance the strength and flexibility of the lower body. \u201cThis exercise, involving the leg and the hip, mainly focuses on improving the hip\u2019s stability, balance and mobility,\u201d says fitness expert <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthshots.com\/experts\/aman-puri\/\">Aman Puri<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_134598\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-134598\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"wp-image-134598 size-full lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2025\/01\/29213746\/Hip-airplane.jpg\" alt=\"Hip airplane\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2025\/01\/29213746\/Hip-airplane.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2025\/01\/29213746\/Hip-airplane-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2025\/01\/29213746\/Hip-airplane-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2025\/01\/29213746\/Hip-airplane-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2025\/01\/29213746\/Hip-airplane-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2025\/01\/29213746\/Hip-airplane-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2025\/01\/29213746\/Hip-airplane-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2025\/01\/29213746\/Hip-airplane-159x90.jpg 159w, https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2025\/01\/29213746\/Hip-airplane-370x207.jpg 370w, https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2025\/01\/29213746\/Hip-airplane-223x125.jpg 223w, https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2025\/01\/29213746\/Hip-airplane-627x354.jpg 627w, https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2025\/01\/29213746\/Hip-airplane-141x79.jpg 141w, https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2025\/01\/29213746\/Hip-airplane-207x116.jpg 207w, https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2025\/01\/29213746\/Hip-airplane-150x84.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-134598\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hip airplane mimics the motion of a plane. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>It is performed by standing on one leg while balancing the body in a controlled manner. The movement and body posture imitate the motion of a flying airplane, earning it the name hip airplane exercise.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"benefits\">What are the benefits of the hip airplane exercise?<\/h2>\n<p>This balance exercise should be part of your fitness routine, as it has many benefits:<\/p>\n<h3>1. Improves alignment and posture<\/h3>\n<p>With the help of controlled rotation of the hips, this exercise helps in aligning the hips, pelvis area and spine. \u201cThis leads to a better aligned posture, and helps in overcoming the risk of lower back pain,\u201d says the expert. You should work on your posture, as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthshots.com\/preventive-care\/self-care\/poor-posture-side-effects\/\">poor posture<\/a> can increase mechanical stress in the lower back, and in turn, lead to low back pain, as per research published in <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10548303\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">EFORT Open Reviews<\/a> in 2023.<\/p>\n<h3>2. Good for mobility of hips<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cThis exercise involves proper rotation of the pelvic and hip area, which helps <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthshots.com\/fitness\/muscle-gain\/clamshell-exercise\/\">strengthen hip<\/a> joint muscles,\u201d says the expert. It specifically improves the internal and external rotation of the hip and loosens tight hips, which can be a risk factor for musculoskeletal injuries in the lower extremities, as per research published in the <a href=\"https:\/\/jeo-esska.springeropen.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s40634-021-00371-w\" rel=\"nofollow\">Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics<\/a> in 2021.<\/p>\n<h3>3. Better balance<\/h3>\n<p>The hip airplane exercise helps improve the body\u2019s balance by involving muscles like the glutes, foot, core and hip muscles. \u201cProper coordination involving hip rotation or leg extension helps enhance neuromuscular control to create a balance,\u201d says Puri.<\/p>\n<h3>4. Activates the core<\/h3>\n<p>The hip airplane exercise activates the core muscle, which helps control the required motion, providing stability while rotating. It tightens and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthshots.com\/fitness\/muscle-gain\/ab-workout\/\">strengthens the core<\/a>, which encompasses the abdominal, pelvic floor, back, diaphragm, hip, and gluteus muscles. It connects the upper and lower extremities, according to research published in <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10588579\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">Biology Of Sport<\/a> in 2023.<\/p>\n<h3>5. Helps prevent injuries<\/h3>\n<p>While working out with weights or gym equipment, you can easily get hurt. \u201cThis exercise can help prevent injuries, as it does not involve intense movements or weights,\u201d says the expert. It can be done by most people, but you should be cautious while performing it.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mayInterest\">\n<p>You may also like<\/p>\n<div class=\"mayInterestRow\">\n<div class=\"likeColumn\">\n<div class=\"mayInterestRowThumb\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthshots.com\/video\/saiyami-kher-mental-health-is-why-i-took-up-the-physically-challenging-ironman-triathlon\/\" onclick=\"dataLayer.push({'event':'story_click', 'widget_name':'You may also like', 'story_type':'story', 'position':'1', 'element':'card image', 'story_section':'Staying Fit', 'story_title':'Hip airplane: An exercise to improve hip mobility and balance', 'target_url':'https:\/\/www.healthshots.com\/video\/saiyami-kher-mental-health-is-why-i-took-up-the-physically-challenging-ironman-triathlon\/', 'current_url':'https:\/\/www.healthshots.com\/fitness\/staying-fit\/benefits-of-hip-airplane-exercise-and-steps-to-do-it\/', 'data_source':'non_amp', 'property_language':'eng', 'user_ID':ga4ClientId, 'client_id':ga4ClientGaId});\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" src=\"https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2024\/08\/27105809\/Saiyami-Kher-CMS-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"Saiyami Kher: Mental health is why I took up the physically challenging Ironman Triathlon\" title=\"Saiyami Kher: Mental health is why I took up the physically challenging Ironman Triathlon\" width=\"370\" height=\"207\"\/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"likeColumn\">\n<div class=\"mayInterestRowThumb\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthshots.com\/fitness\/staying-fit\/hula-hoop-exercise-for-seniors\/\" onclick=\"dataLayer.push({'event':'story_click', 'widget_name':'You may also like', 'story_type':'story', 'position':'2', 'element':'card image', 'story_section':'Staying Fit', 'story_title':'Hip airplane: An exercise to improve hip mobility and balance', 'target_url':'https:\/\/www.healthshots.com\/fitness\/staying-fit\/hula-hoop-exercise-for-seniors\/', 'current_url':'https:\/\/www.healthshots.com\/fitness\/staying-fit\/benefits-of-hip-airplane-exercise-and-steps-to-do-it\/', 'data_source':'non_amp', 'property_language':'eng', 'user_ID':ga4ClientId, 'client_id':ga4ClientGaId});\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" src=\"https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2025\/01\/31183157\/hula-hooping-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"Seniors, hula hoop your way to fitness and good health\" title=\"Seniors, hula hoop your way to fitness and good health\" width=\"370\" height=\"207\"\/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"how_to_do\">How to do the hip airplane exercise?<\/h2>\n<p>Here are steps to do this exercise:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Stand using one leg and bend your knee slightly while spreading your arms out to the sides. Engage your core area to maintain a careful balance.<\/li>\n<li>Extend your other leg backward, and lean forward with a straight spine.<\/li>\n<li>Rotate your entire torso gradually outwards and keep your leg extended outward just like an extended airplane wing.<\/li>\n<li>Hold for a few seconds in the extended leg position.<\/li>\n<li>After that, move your hip back to the centre and move back to your starting position.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u201cIf you find it difficult to perform this exercise, you can take help by holding a wall,\u201d suggests Puri.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_89092\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-89092\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-89092 size-full lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2023\/09\/27170156\/hip-joint.jpg\" alt=\"Hip pain\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2023\/09\/27170156\/hip-joint.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2023\/09\/27170156\/hip-joint-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2023\/09\/27170156\/hip-joint-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2023\/09\/27170156\/hip-joint-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2023\/09\/27170156\/hip-joint-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2023\/09\/27170156\/hip-joint-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2023\/09\/27170156\/hip-joint-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2023\/09\/27170156\/hip-joint-159x90.jpg 159w, https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2023\/09\/27170156\/hip-joint-370x207.jpg 370w, https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2023\/09\/27170156\/hip-joint-223x125.jpg 223w, https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2023\/09\/27170156\/hip-joint-627x354.jpg 627w, https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2023\/09\/27170156\/hip-joint-141x79.jpg 141w, https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2023\/09\/27170156\/hip-joint-207x116.jpg 207w, https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2023\/09\/27170156\/hip-joint-150x84.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-89092\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Avoid mistakes while performing the hip airplane exercise. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3 id=\"common_mistakes\">Common mistakes to avoid<\/h3>\n<p>Focus on controlled and coordinated movements while doing the hip airplane exercise. Here are some mistakes to avoid while doing it:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Hip overrotation strain<\/strong>: Uncontrolled movements can lead to overrotation of the hip, which can lead to dislocation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Overbending back<\/strong>: Another common mistake is slouching the spine or overbending which can lead to stress on the knee or the hip joints.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Loose leg positioning<\/strong>: Loosely placing the legs or letting them hang without stretching them completely won\u2019t give maximum benefit as it does not activate the muscles, especially the hip muscles and glutes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"Who should avoid\">Who should avoid the hip airplane exercise?<\/h2>\n<p>It can be done by most people, but some may have to be more cautious:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The elderly and beginners can perform this exercise with a supported variation as there is a risk of falling.<\/li>\n<li>Those with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthshots.com\/preventive-care\/self-care\/tips-to-keep-bones-strong-and-healthy\/\">weak bones<\/a> or have a history of past injuries should avoid performing this exercise or use support initially.<\/li>\n<li>People with chronic medical problems should consult a doctor before performing the hip airplane exercise.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The hip airplane exercise is perfect for your lower body. It does not involve high-intensity movement, so it can be performed by most people. But if you find it hard to balance, opt for a supported version to avoid any risk of falling.<\/p>\n<div class=\"faqAccordion\">\n<p><span>Related FAQs<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"faqBlock\">\n<h3>Which muscles does the hip airplane target?<span class=\"plusicon\"\/><\/h3>\n<div class=\"faqMore\">\n<p>Hip airplane mostly targets the glutes minimus, gluteus medius, maximus, and posterior hip muscles. These muscles play a crucial role in stabilising hip and leg movement. The gluteus maximus strengthens control of the hip joint. Gluteus minimus and medius support in stabilising pelvic movements while piriformis is the posterior hip muscle involved in maintaining balance and assisting in hip rotation. Foot muscles and core muscles are also involved during this exercise.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"faqBlock\">\n<h3>Is the hip airplane exercise good for seniors?<span class=\"plusicon\"\/><\/h3>\n<div class=\"faqMore\">\n<p>Yes, this exercise is good for the elderly if performed in the right manner using controlled movements. It can help improve the flexibility of hip joints, enhance coordination and balance, prevent hip and pelvic injuries among seniors, and strengthen the muscles of the hip and legs. Seniors can also perform this exercise without overexerting their body as it does not involve any high-intensity movements. As seniors have a higher risk of injury involving weights or intense training, this dynamic exercise can be easily performed without equipment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Improve your balance, and hip mobility by mimicking the motion of a flying airplane. Spread your arms, and balance on one leg to do the hip airplane exercise. Squats and lunges may be your go-to exercises to strengthen your lower body. Add the hip airplane to this list to make your legs, and hips stronger. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13531,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_gspb_post_css":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/images.healthshots.com\/healthshots\/en\/uploads\/2025\/01\/29213746\/Hip-airplane.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"offerexpiration":[],"class_list":["post-13530","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blogs"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/styletechemporium.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13530","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/styletechemporium.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/styletechemporium.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/styletechemporium.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/styletechemporium.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13530"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/styletechemporium.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13530\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/styletechemporium.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/13531"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/styletechemporium.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13530"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/styletechemporium.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13530"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/styletechemporium.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13530"},{"taxonomy":"offerexpiration","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/styletechemporium.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fofferexpiration&post=13530"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}