Have you ever been in a workout class and heard the instructor mention activating your glutes? Sandy Brockman, a certified personal trainer, emphasizes that glute activation is essential for muscle growth and overall glute health. But what does it mean to activate your glutes, and why is it so important?
Understanding glute activation
Glute activation is about creating a strong mind-muscle connection. This connection allows you to engage your glutes more effectively during exercise and everyday movements. By performing glute activation exercises, you increase blood circulation to the muscles, which is crucial for maximizing power and muscle activation during workouts.
The role of glute corrective exercises
Glute corrective exercises, such as the couch and frog stretches, are designed to improve hip mobility. Sandy Brockman points out that better hip mobility leads to better glute development. Since many people lead sedentary lifestyles, tight hip flexors are common and can prevent proper glute engagement. By focusing on hip mobility, you can alleviate this tightness and enhance your glute gains.
Simple glute activation techniques
Activation can be as simple as squeezing your glutes alternately while sitting at a stoplight. Incorporating this squeezing technique into your exercise routine can help establish the mind-muscle connection needed for effective glute engagement. Brockman integrates these activation methods into her Glute Gains Challenge to ensure participants get the most out of their workouts.
Remember, activating your glutes isn’t just for workouts; it’s a practice that can improve your overall muscle function and health. So next time you’re about to exercise or even just sitting around, take a moment to squeeze those glutes and fire up that mind-muscle connection.
