Injuries can happen to anybody, whether they’re new to the game or a seasoned gym-goer. Muscle soreness after working out is also common, even if you’re not injured. Though you might feel occasional discomfort, “no pain, no gain” is not a mantra that supports long-term physical fitness—you don’t need to suffer to stay healthy.

This blog was originally written on January 27, 2020, and has been updated since.

Anyone can suffer from a hip flexor injury, but athletes, martial artists, and dancers know this kind of injury all too well. The hip flexors are a group of muscles along the bottom of your abdomen and the top of your hips. Even if you’re not performing a three-hour stage show like a certain superstar, activities such as kicking, running, jumping, and dancing all engage those muscles.¹