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If you suffer from tight hips, you might just fall in love with this unique and easy stretch
Gray Cook, the therapist who developed the Brettzel stretch, demonstrates how to do it
Late last year I was introduced to the Brettzel stretch by my physiotherapist. My right hip was bugging me so I went to see my buddy Mon Jef Peters, one of the physios at Fit to Train. Peters put me through a thorough assessment, worked on helping to relieve my pain and then gave me some exercises to do at home.
One of the exercises he gave me was called the Brettzel. Basically it involves folding yourself into a pretzel and then rotating about your mid-spine. It was love at first sight – with the stretch not with Mon Jef; my body really loved going through this dynamic stretch. And I still do it four or five times a week.
The Brettzel is a full body stretch though it targets the front of the hip and upper thigh and the mid-spine region. If you spend a lot of time sitting or participating in linear sports like running and cycling, chances are you’ll feel tight in these areas.
The Brettzel is a great exercise that will help mobilize the spine where many people need it the most, as well as improve the flexibility of your thighs and hips.
For a complete demonstration of how to do the Brettzel, watch this video of Gray Cook, the therapist who developed the stretch. You’ll find out why it’s called the Brettzel and also see how to do the Brettzel 2.0 stretch that targets the gluteal muscles.