The Hinge is one of the functional movement patterns that should be a staple within your training program. If hinge movements are neglected, the lumbo-pelvic-hip-complex & posterior chain will not develop properly, limiting growth & the ability to properly excel forward towards your training goals, as well as longevity & a better life. 

This foundational functional movement plays an essential role in boosting overall injury prevention, mobility, strength, & hypertrophy. The ability to involve the hip complex & hip joints in driving movement patterns that maintain alignment, posture, & form (neutralized pelvis & spine) translates to better mechanics throughout other staple functional movements as well. Develop good habits!!!

Why is it so important to train the hip hinge movement?

1. This hip dominant movement will translate to better posterior chain development. The glutes, low back, & hamstrings are essential for everyday movements like standing up, bending, standing, lifting, etc. Neglected hip hinge exercises will lead to an underdeveloped posterior chain, leading to many more complicated issues. 
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3. Proper hinge mechanics develop great posture habits. The hip hinge movement patterns teach neutral spine maintenance. Reduce stress on the low back during every day activities & resistance training exercises. The hip hinge movement helps protect the low back during resistance training & daily bending activities. Underdeveloped hinge mechanics & posterior chain musculature can cause a reliance on low back, limiting the use of hips during lifts, leading to high injury risk to the lumbar spine. Poor mechanics leading to rounding spine, increasing strain on the spinal discs & surrounding ligaments as well (herniated discs eventually). 
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5. Improve functional strength, as well as developing explosive power usage from the hips. This is necessary for athletic movements like sprints, running, or jumping. If neglected, you will struggle with movements that involve the hip complex, causing overall mechanics to become extremely inefficient. This leads to compensation, which is one of the main causes of overuse injury!
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7. If you favor movements like leg press & barbell squats (anterior chain focus) & neglect hinge concentration, imbalances & overactive/underactive musculature will now began to develop. Imbalances lead to poor posture, decreased movement efficiency, compromised mechanics in the knees & hips, as well as boosted risk of injury. 
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9. The hip hinge actually plays a huge role in the development of core stability. The core is needed to help aid in neutral spine maintenance, requiring the abdominal musculature & low back musculature to engage. Neglecting the hinge will lead to lack of core & pelvic stabilization during other movement patterns. Compound lifts will become increasingly difficult. Overall core & abdomen strength/stabilization starts to tank.
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11. I would like to circle back to compound lifts. Many lower extremity (& even some upper body compound movements) require a hip hinge. Why neglect the hip hinge & limit your ability to progress in these compounds? Your overall ability to increase strength & develop increased fiber activation will begin to decrease. Slower development overall, as well as potentially decreasing your movement pattern efficiency in other compound exercises & functional movements. 
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13. Develop better kinetic alignment, improved mechanics, improved movement patterns, improved force production, smoother transfers of force from the posterior chain, & better joint / musculature alliance through movements. 
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15. The hip hinge helps develop musculature that is key for explosive power (glutes, hamstrings, & low-back). Many people overuse their lower back or quads instead of engaging the glutes and hamstrings. Learning to hinge properly helps reduce stress on the lower back and protect the knees by distributing the load efficiently.
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17. Limited reliance on knee dominance, which can lead to quad dominance & potential pain in your knees. 

All in all, do not neglect hinge movements, or any functional movements at that! Stay well rounded, create an equilibrium for your body, develop good habits, & continue to grow in your program. 

Supporting research articles:

These results suggest that variations in hip hinge exercises can differentially target posterior chain muscles, emphasizing the importance of exercise selection based on specific training goals. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37113509/

This indicates that different hip hinge exercises can selectively emphasize various muscles within the posterior chain. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10124728/

This study suggests that specific adjustments in hip hinge exercises can influence muscle activation patterns, potentially aiding in targeted posterior chain development. https://europepmc.org/article/MED/19229445

This study mentions how a strong posterior chain, which includes the glutes and hamstrings, is essential for balanced muscle function. Weakness in these muscles can lead to over-reliance on the quadriceps, contributing to knee pain. Strengthening the posterior chain through hip hinge exercises can mitigate this imbalance. https://www.hss.edu/article_posterior-chain-strengthening.asp

Proper hip hinge technique promotes correct spinal alignment and engages muscles responsible for maintaining good posture. This engagement can lead to improved postural alignment and reduced strain on the lower back. https://www.physio-pedia.com/Hip_Hinge

This study investigated the impact of hip hinge stretching exercises. The findings demonstrated that such exercises effectively increased hamstring flexibility and improved pelvic tilting angle, contributing to better posture and alignment. https://www.jptrs.org/journal/view.html?doi=10.14474/ptrs.2022.11.2.259

This study explored the role of hip hinge movements in maintaining a neutral spine during lifting. The study concluded that proper hip hinge technique enhances lumbar stability, thereby reducing the risk of lower back injuries.

https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/16/5487

In this study researchers examined the importance of hip hinge mechanics in squatting exercises. They found that emphasizing the hip hinge helps maintain a neutral spine and proper knee alignment, which is crucial for safe and effective movement patterns.

https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/9/4/224

Neglecting hip hinge exercises can lead to poor movement patterns, especially during activities involving lifting or bending. Without proper hip hinge mechanics, individuals may rely excessively on spinal flexion, which can be detrimental to spinal health. Incorporating the hip hinge technique helps protect the spine during common activities by promoting proper movement mechanics. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1360859203000391

Study titled “Lower Back Injury Prevention and Sensitization of Hip Hinge with Neutral Spine Using Wearable Sensors during Lifting Exercises” https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353924505_Lower_Back_Injury_Prevention_and_Sensitization_of_Hip_Hinge_with_Neutral_Spine_Using_Wearable_Sensors_during_Lifting_Exercises

Study titled “Enhancing athletic performance with complex contrast training: A Delphi study of elite strength and conditioning coaches” https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/17479541241272256?icid=int.sj-abstract.similar-articles.8

This study shares the importance of hip mobility & hip hinge issues in youth sports & athletics. 

https://www.therapeuticassociates.com/hip-hinging-issues-in-youth-athletes/

This study discusses the importance of hip hinge integration for a healthy back. 

https://journals.lww.com/nsca-scj/citation/2001/04000/_hip_hinge__to_a_healthy_back.18.aspx

This study emphasizes that maintaining a neutral spine during lifting exercises is essential to prevent muscle injuries or herniated discs. Proper hip hinge mechanics, supported by good core stability, are vital in achieving this neutral spine position. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34450929/