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The “Clamshell” Hip Exercise

Last updated on January 16, 2017 By Dan Baumstark, MSPT, CHT 2 Comments

“Clamshell” hip exercise starting position

It has stood the test of time and is a staple in just about every physical therapy clinic. It is the beloved “clamshell” exercise.

This exercise is relatively simple, portable, safe, and effective in regards to recruiting the often-neglected gluteal muscles. Let’s take a quick look at the start and finish positions of this exercise.

As you can see with our starting position, the knees and the hips are flexed as the subject is lying on his side. A recent article from the Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy (July, 2013) suggests that the gluteal muscles are better recruited when the hips are flexed to about sixty (60) degrees as seen in the photo.

Lift one knee off of the other knee and hold the elevated knee in the raised position for three to five seconds.

The movement involved with this exercise is simple. Lift one knee off of the other knee and hold the elevated knee in the raised position for three to five seconds.

Beware of the path of least resistance! Most patients will unknowingly cheat in order to more easily move into the end position. The most common cheat involves turning the “top side” of the pelvis backwards. To correct yourself, keep your pelvis straight up, or perpendicular to the floor. Some patients will have to back themselves up against a wall in order to keep the spine and pelvis aligned.

How do you know if you are doing it correctly? If you feel a prominent fatigue or burn in the gluteal muscles along the side and posterior aspects of the hip, you are doing a good job. Even the most conditioned athletes are often surprised at just how difficult this exercise is when performed correctly.

Filed Under: Exercise & Fitness Tagged With: Hip



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About Dan Baumstark, MSPT, CHT

Dan is a licensed Physical Therapist in the District of Columbia, license #PT2916. He has a Masters of Science degree in Physical Therapy from Washington University in St. Louis, MO. Dan specializes in sports medicine & upper extremity rehabilitation. He is a Certified Hand Therapist, certified by the American Society of Hand Therapists (initial certification date 11/6/2004, certification #1041100023). Dan has extensive continuing education in manual therapy from the Michigan State University School of Osteopathic Medicine.
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Discussion

  1. Leslyn says

    February 7, 2017 at 11:27 am

    I had a labral repair almost three years ago. My muscles in that hip still give me major issues with knots and constantly very stiff though I do stretches all the time. My main question though is with it being three years… when doing air squats… can I go past 90 degrees?
    I’m 55 and was a avid body builder years ago and I’m not sure if either of those are an issue.

    Reply
    • Dan Baumstark, MSPT, CHT says

      February 7, 2017 at 11:49 am

      If the hip is hollering at you, I don’t see the reason for going deeper than 90°. If you have even a little bit of a pincher or cam lesion in that hip a deeper squat puts it a bit at risk for impingement.

      Reply

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DISCLAIMER: The information on this site is for Educational Purposes Only and is not designed to diagnose, treat, mitigate, prevent or cure any health conditions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated statements about these health topics or any suggested product compositions. Answers to questions submitted are merely the opinion of the physical therapist and should not be taken as a prescribed course of action. Any advice given by the therapist must be cleared with the treating physician involved in direct patient care. The person posing the question absolves the responder of any liability in regards to opinions given. PhysioDC insists that all patients receive approval from a prescribing physician prior to starting a structured exercise program involving any of the exercises included on this site. PhysioDC.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com; proceeds from product sales help cover the operational & maintenance costs for the site.