Routine · 8 minutes · intermediate

8-Minute Runner Routine

Post-run release for the muscles that overwork during repetitive hip flexion. Piriformis, deep external rotators, plus the lateral hip chain that runners tend to neglect.

Best for: Within 30 minutes of finishing a run. Also useful for cyclists post-ride.

What you'll do

  1. 01
    Supine Figure-445s each side
    Stretch

    Settle the deep glute after impact loading

  2. 02
    Pigeon Pose75s each side
    Stretch

    Full piriformis decompression, the deepest stretch

  3. 03
    90-90 Hip Stretch60s each side
    Stretch

    Train rotation range in both hips

  4. 04
    Stretch

    Functional standing position, mimics running posture

How the timer works

Hit start and the timer reads out each step. Three-second get-ready, the work phase (held stretches at the named hold time, strengthening reps at ~3 seconds each), five-second rest, then onto the next move. Pause, skip, or restart at any time. The voice can be muted from the top right.

If anything starts shooting down a leg below the knee, stop. That is sciatic nerve irritation, not the stretch helping. Switch to the quick relief routine and see a physiotherapist if it persists past 48 hours.

OW
Written by Oliver Wakefield-Smith, Founder of Digital Signet
Researches and writes evidence-based consumer health content. Not a clinician. Every clinical claim on this page links to its primary source. Email corrections.
Last reviewed 2026-05-12 · piriformisstretches.com