Ever noticed your pants fitting weird on one side, or maybe someone snapped a picture of you and you thought, “Wait a minute – why do I look a little tilted?” That’s not just the camera angle; it might actually be your hips sitting unevenly. And trust me; you’re not the only one who could be experiencing this.Uneven hips/pelvic imbalance are actually normal, especially if you pass lots of time sitting, drive long hours, or engross in activities that involve using one side of your body over the other. The bad news is that if you don’t treat uneven hips, they can mess up with more than just your posture.
Yes, you read it right! They can cause nagging back pain, hip tightness, and even cranky knees.
Well, with the practice of a few smart exercises and stretches, you can bring things back into balance and start moving more comfortably. Let’s have a nudge on the best exercises to restore balance. Before that, you might be wondering and looking to know –
Why Do Hips Get Uneven?
Hips don’t just go uneven overnight. Usually, it’s a slow build-up of little habits:
- Sitting for hours – Our muscles tighten and weaken in all the wrong places.
- Leaning or slouching – Standing with the load on one leg feels normal, but over time, it tips the pelvis.
- Repetitive motions – Driving with the right leg, running, cycling, or carrying a heavyweight bag on one shoulder.
- Leg length differences – Sometimes one leg is just slightly shorter, and the hips shift to compensate.
You Might Also Like – How to Fix High Right Hip and Pelvic Tilt
You don’t need an X-ray to guess if your hips are uneven. Some little clues include :
- One hip bone feels higher when you put your hands on your waist.
- Pants or skirts tilt to one side.
- The lower back aches more on one side.
- You feel “off” in photos (yep, the camera doesn’t lie).
If these sound familiar, don’t panic. It’s not about “fixing” yourself- it’s about helping your body find balance again.
The Best Uneven Hips Exercises
Here’s the part you came for: the moves. These exercises are simple and don’t need fancy equipment, and if you keep at them, they can really make a difference.
Hip Flexor Stretch
When hip flexors get tight (which happens if you sit a lot), they yank your pelvis forward and tilt things out of line.
How to do it:
- Kneel with one knee down and the other foot forward.
- Gently push your hips forward while keeping your back straight.
- Hold for 20–30 seconds, and switch sides.
Tip: Don’t arch your lower back. Keep it controlled
Clamshells
Think of this as an anti-slouch move. It fires up your side glutes, which help keep the pelvis level.
How to do it:
- Lie on your side, knees bent.
- Keep feet touching, open your top knee like a clam.
- Lower slowly.
- Repeat 12-15 times per side.
Side-Lying Leg Raises
Another glute move that helps even out weak muscles is side-lying leg raises.
How to do it:
- Lie on your side, legs straight.
- Lift your top leg slowly, then bring it down.
- Aim for 12–15 repetitions.
Figure-4 Stretch
If one hip feels tight all the time, this stretch is gold.
How to do it:
- Lie on your back.
- Cross one ankle over the opposite thigh.
- Pull your legs toward your chest.
- Hold for 20–30 seconds, then switch.
Also Read: 4 DIY Exercises to Fix Lateral Pelvic Tilt
Bridge with March
This one’s sneaky; it strengthens your glutes but also forces your hips to stay level when one leg is off the ground.
How to do it:
- Lie on your back, knees bent.
- Lift hips into a bridge.
- Slowly lift one foot, lower it, then switch.
- Do 10-12 on each side.
Tip: Don’t let your hips wobble all over the place.
Cat-Cow Stretch
This stretch helps you loosen up the spine and pelvis.
How to do it:
- On all fours, inhale as you arch your back.
- Exhale as you round it.
- Repeat 6–8 times.
Single-Leg Deadlift
Helps train your body to balance while strengthening hamstrings and glutes.
How to do it:
- Stand tall, shift weight to one leg.
- Hinge at your hips, extend the other leg back.
- Return to standing.
- 10–12 reps per side.
Seated Pelvic Tilt
Sounds boring, but it’s one of the most useful. It trains your brain to control your pelvis.
How to do it:
- Sit with feet flat.
- Slowly tilt your pelvis forward (like you’re sticking your butt out).
- Then tilt it back (tuck your tailbone).
- Repeat 10 -12 times.
When Should You Get Checked Out?
If uneven hips are giving you chronic pain, messing with your workouts, or causing numbness/tingling, it’s worth seeing a physical therapist or chiropractor. Sometimes there’s an actual leg length difference or a deeper structural issue that needs professional input. You may be guided to use a Pelvic Leveler, or if things are out of control, then some medical intervention would be there to get things back on track.
Wrapping It Up
Uneven hips might sound scary, but they’re commonly just your body’s way of saying, “Hey, I’m out of balance here.”
By practicing these uneven hips exercises a few times a week, giving thoughtfulness to your daily habits, and keeping things regular, you can bring your hips (and your posture) back to center.
Wilson Casey
Wilson Casey brings years of experience in wellness writing. He loves exploring ways to improve people's health. With a strong background in health topics, Wilson shares easy-to-understand insights on keeping our bodies balanced. He aims to help readers stay informed about the latest in wellness.