Regardless of whether you’re a runner, skier, or climber, you’re likely overlooking a key muscle in your training: the gluteus medius. Located within the gluteal muscle group, alongside your gluteus maximus and the gluteus minimus, this muscle helps protect and drive your hips. You engage this critical mover on a regular basis—without even thinking about it.
What Are the Benefits of Gluteus Medius Exercises?
It’s about much more than developing lower body strength. Your glutes also help extend and stabilize your hips. While hip extension is primarily driven by the gluteus maximus, your gluteus medius is essential for hip abduction, the movement of bringing your leg out to the side of your body.
Weakness in this muscle can increase the risk of injury, including knee and hip issues, IT band syndrome, and lower back pain. Strengthening exercises that target the gluteus medius help avoid these issues by building stability in your hips.
How to Understand the Strength of Your Gluteus Medius
If you’re unsure about how strong your gluteus medius is, there’s a simple test you can do to see. One of the common…
