Trainer Tip Tuesday: Glute stretches and strength training

Why should I care about my glute flexibility and strength?

Performing glute flexibility and strengthening exercises can help relieve:

  • Low back tension
  • Pain in buttocks or pelvis
  • Tightness in hamstrings and hips

Performing glute exercises consistently can lead to benefits like:

  • Improved lower body strength
  • Enhanced lower body flexibility and range of motion
  • Reduced risk for injury
  • Improved activities of daily living


Seated Figure Four Glute Stretch

Cues:

  •  Sit upright in a chair. Place the right ankle on the left thigh just above the knee and hold your shin.
  • Keeping a neutral spine, lean the abdomen forward and deepen the stretch until you feel it in the back of your leg/glute and hold it for 20-30 seconds, repeat 2-3 times in total.
  • Repeat the previous step on the other leg.

Banded Glute Bridge

Cues:

  • Position band just above the knees.
  • Lie on your back with feet pulled up towards glutes and arms resting comfortably at your sides.
  • Push through your heels while squeezing glutes to raise hips off the ground, continue to raise hips while driving knees slightly outward against the band.
  • Raise hips until torso and hips are aligned, holding for a brief pause at the top of the movement.
  • While maintaining tension on the band, slowly lower hips back down to the ground and repeat exercise for the desired number of repetitions.