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Why Your Quads Aren't the Problem? Learn to Focus on the Hips

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August 18, 2025•2 min read

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Why Your Quads Aren't the Problem? Learn to Focus on the Hips

I'm sure I wasn't the only one who watched Happy Gilmore 2 this weekend. And what great reminder it was.

Happy returned to golf for this movie and was 25 years older than when the first movie came out. Yet somehow, he was still able to launch the ball into orbit like the old Happy did. He was rusty at first but once he remembered "it's all in the hips" he got his mojo back.

The only problem for happy was that the Maxi golf players got their iliolumbar ligament severed and that gave them the ability to drive the ball further. Not gonna lie, this made me laugh sooooo much.

But the moral of the story is the hips are in charge of power, speed, stability, and most daily functions. We need to stop blaming the knees and focus more on strengthening the hips. Strong hips and core provide the stable foundation for the legs to work off of. If the foundation isn't doing it's job you will see a lack of power, speed, stability, and problems with daily functions.

The best athletes in every sport generate power well from their hips. Whether it's running, baseball, golf, or basketball, the hips are the power source.

So what's the best strength exercise for the hips?

Side plank leg lifts (multiple variations to make easier or harder)
Runner's clams
Curtsy lunge

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