In the world of physical therapy, chiropractic, and personal training, professionals love to use phrases like:

• “Your glutes don’t work”
• “Your glutes don’t turn on”
• “We need to activate your glutes”

It’s not all bad. And it’s not all a complete lie. Professionals mean well. Though, words still matter. And I don’t believe these phrases build client efficacy which is one of my core values here at Annie Miller Concepts.

Perhaps they really mean to address one of the following:

Actual weakness in the glute med, min, or max (you need to strengthen your glutes – BUT THEY WORK).

Lack of “mind muscle” connection – aka you don’t feel them working. Placing your hand on the muscle you’re wishing to feel *can* help.

You need to train your glutes in a specific movement pattern. Maybe your adductors, hamstrings or another group are compensating, and you simply need to re-train the pattern with higher demand on the glutes.

Whenever my top girls (flyers) in cheerleading would break at the waist, I’d simply say “pinch a penny” or “squeeze your glutes.” They’d prop right up. That’s because your glutes are your primary hip extender.

So, please – if you get nothing else from this post, know that if you can stand up straight and walk with a normal gait, your glutes work. They’re not asleep or completely atrophied, or “turned off.” Unless there is literally a blockage in the neural connection between your brain and motor units. Not likely.

P.S. I don’t think coaches/PT’s are being malicious by using these terms. I used to use them too. I’m just providing some more *potential* context.

Have you been told this? Or said it? I’d love to know.

Here is a video pulled from IG to illustrate how this plays out:

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