I'm someone who spends a lot of time sitting for my desk job, so tight hips can be a common feeling. I’ve tried many bodyweight stretches and strengthening exercises in my time to help ease the tightness and tension held in my hips after a long day of sitting behind a screen. Some of which have worked (hello child’s pose and the world’s greatest stretch) and others which haven’t (we won't go into those!). So after spotting fire hydrants trending (and learning that these stellar moves can do wonders for tight hips and more), I just knew I had to roll out my exercise mat and give them a go.
For me, fire hydrants conjure up the thought of the red bollards often depicted in American TV programmes on picture-perfect residential streets. However, in the fitness world, this bodyweight exercise — also known as the dirty dog exercise or hip side lifts — is a floor-based move that involves coming onto all fours and lifting your leg out to the side while bent at a 90-degree angle. They get their moniker due to looking similar to the way a dog might urinate (nice, I know!) on a fire hydrant.
