By Dylan Tannyan
We are going to talk about the gluteus maximus (glute max) muscle. This important muscle sits on both sides of the body and runs from the pelvis to the femur (leg bone).
The main role of this muscle is to extend and externally rotate the hip joint. The glute max is vital for simple tasks such as standing, walking, and even trunk support while sitting. This muscle becomes even more important during tasks of high force and power generation such as running or almost any sport activity.
Many folks are concerned that they aren’t using their glute max properly, that their glute max isn’t firing properly, or that theirs is “turned off.” Unless someone has sustained a serious neurological injury, they will be able to “fire” or contract their glute max muscle.
The more likely reason someone can’t “fire” or feel the muscle is because the muscle is not strong enough or set up in a position where someone is able to efficiently contract the muscle. In a position where the muscle can’t efficiently contract or if the muscle is not strong enough for the task, other muscles such as the hamstrings or the erector spinae (low back muscles) may kick in to help the movement.
We are going to review a very simple and common exercise, the glute bridge. Along with a progression for it, the following will focus on set up to make sure you are contracting that glute max and loading up the muscle.
Begin by lying on your back and bending your knees to bring your heels as close as you comfortably can to your pelvis. The closer you can get your feet to your pelvis, the easier it will be for your glute max to contract and the harder it will make it for your hamstrings to help. Your feet and knees should be approximately hip-width apart and should stay this far apart throughout the movement (don’t drive your knees together to create stability).
Squeeze your glute max as you press down through the heels of your feet as you bridge up into the air. Attempt to raise up so that the line from your knee to hip to shoulder is straight. Be careful not to hyperextend your lower back to force the bridge up higher, all the movement should occur at your hip joint. Slowly lower all the way back to the ground, relax, and repeat.
This is general information that is not meant to replace the assessment and specific advice of a registered physiotherapist.
Dylan is a Toronto based registered physiotherapist who enjoys working with a wide range of patients whose goals range from chronic pain improvement to sport and high performance. He also specializes in vestibular and concussion rehabilitation. Dylan utilizes a mix of specific exercise prescription, manual therapy, dry needling, and education with two main objectives: outcome and efficiency. Dylan wants all of his patients to reach their functional goals as well as have the confidence, education, and physical tools to manage their injury over the long term. Dylan currently works out of Synergy Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation in East York and has limited homecare appointment availability. If you are looking for a physiotherapist you can book with him HERE or contact him directly at dtannyanpt@gmail.com
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