Warming up the glutes correctly can be the difference between having an effective training session and not. In this article I will discuss different types of glute warm up exercises and the importance of performing the posterior pelvic tilt during both the glute warm up and training. I also provide 9 exercises you can use in your glute warm ups. Please note that some of these exercises are for beginners while others are for more advanced individuals. For example that bird dog is excellent for all abilities whereas the barbell good morning is only for experienced individuals.
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Warming up prior to resistance training plays two key functions, to prevent injuries occurring and to improve performance. Through increasing blood flow to the muscles that are about to be loaded and improving the contraction efficiency of the muscles we are able to both help mitigate injuries and improve performance. Warm ups also help us with the technical aspect of resistance training, they help us find our flow in the movement we are about to perform.
The glutes are crucial muscles during squatting exercises, this is often forgotten as people search for exercises to warm up the glutes. Squatting exercises, including lunges and other single leg exercises can certainly be used to effectively to warm up the glutes and train the muscles of the glutes. People with strong squats never have weak glutes. Do not think that donkey kicks are going to get you strong glutes, back squats will.
The glutes can also be warmed up through glute isometric exercises which are exercises that aim to work the glutes as much as possible. In these exercises we aim to create a great deal of tension in the muscles of the glutes.
The posterior pelvic tilt at the hips is what allows us to create high levels of tension in the muscles of the glutes. It is very challenging to create tension and therefore create adaptation in the glute muscles without being able to perform the posterior pelvic tilt and certainly not possible when in an anterior pelvic tilt.
Complete 3 rounds
Please note that some of these exercises are for beginners while others are for more advanced individuals. For example that bird dog is excellent for all abilities whereas the barbell good morning is only for experienced individuals.
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This resource was written by Sean Klein. Sean Richard Klein has thousands of hours of coaching experience and a BSc in Sports Science with Management from Loughborough University. He owns a gym in Bayonne France, CrossFit Essor, which runs group classes and a Personal training studio.