First of all, thank you for answering my question about how to get higher extensions to the front and side. Regarding the exercise you suggested, I have a question. When I tried it, I felt the bone that is between the top of my thigh and torso “pop out” and a lot of engagement in the area where my hip flexor is. Isn’t the iliopsoas located more underneath the abs, coming around from the back? Shouldn’t I feel engagement there more than in my main hip flexor? —Hadley

Hadley,

You are feeling the quadriceps tendon ‘pop out,’ which is appropriate because all the hip flexors are working when you are flexing at the hip. If you keep the pelvis square and don’t roll backward from the sits bones, you will also feel the iliopsoas fatiguing after some repetitions. This will be felt more toward the groin area. If the iliopsoas isn’t fatiguing after 25 reps, try the variation with the TheraBand wrapped around your thighs as described in the original post.

To your success,

Deborah Vogel

Director, The Body Series

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