Seated Figure Four Stretch
The Seated Figure Four Stretch is an accessible mobility exercise performed in a chair to release tension in the glutes and deep hip rotators. It is particularly effective for relieving tightness in the piriformis muscle and alleviating lower back strain caused by prolonged sitting.
Because this is a time-based recovery movement, the AI analyzes your daily activity and recovery metrics to prescribe the optimal hold duration for your current state. If you consistently log high exertion or poor sleep (low HRV), the app may extend the duration of this stretch to downregulate your nervous system. Additionally, if you report knee valgus or hip pain during squats, the AI recognizes this pattern and prioritizes this specific stretch to address the underlying mobility restriction.
Form Cues
- Sit tall on the edge of a bench or chair with a neutral spine
- Cross one ankle over the opposite knee to create a '4' shape
- Flex the foot of the crossed leg to protect the knee joint
- Hinge forward from the hips while keeping your chest lifted
- Gently press the crossed knee down with your hand to deepen the stretch
- Don't round your lower back as you lean forward
- Don't force the knee down if you feel sharp pain
- Don't let the foot of the crossed leg point or dangle
- Don't hunch your shoulders up towards your ears
Common Mistakes
- Rounding the lumbar spine
- Forcing the knee down aggressively
- Forgetting to flex the foot
- Slouching the upper back
- Holding the breath
Muscles Worked
This stretch primarily targets the gluteus maximus and the deep external rotators of the hip, specifically the piriformis. By lengthening these muscles, it improves hip mobility and reduces the tension that often contributes to sciatica and lower back pain.
Primary
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