If you spend a lot of time sitting down, you are at increased risk of developing tight “hip flexors,” the muscles that surround the ball and socket joints that connect the legs to the upper body. When the hip flexors are tight, there is increased likelihood of the experience of pain in the lower back and hips. Unfortunately, hip flexors, which consist of five distinct muscles, are often neglected to the point where even exercise enthusiasts leave them out of their strengthening and stretching exercises. If so, strengthening exercises such as lunges, squats, straight leg raises, and others can help increase muscle power. Stretching poses such as the seated butterfly and bridge pose can improve flexibility.