What is it?
This workout targets those dreaded problem areas such as the butt, hips, inner thighs, love handles, and abs. Done mostly from the mat, specific rotations are used to "wake up" the muscles in an effective way! This workout is totally different than your usual routine. No squats or lunges here! This workout has proven to be successful at lifting the butt and tightening troublesome areas in the lower body and core. Get ready to feel the burn and see the results!
The importance of strengthening the gluteus medius and minimus
The gluteus medius controls rotational forces through the hips. The hip is the joint in the lower body that rotates. The glute muscles have a tendency to become weak, innactive and "lazy." Many cyclists and runners experience lateral knee pain (or pain in the side of the knee) which is caused by excessive activity of the iliotibial band (IT band.) It comes to the rescue when the gluteus medius is weak because it is trying to control the in and out motions of the knee. Gluteus medius weakness is a likely culprit in many overuse injuries. Also, the gluteus minimus tends to become weak and stretched out. A common muscle imbalance in many cyclists and runners is a tight and dominant piriformis which inhibits good hip mobility and creates pain in the hip, lower buttocks, and low back. It is also a common cause of sciatic nerve pain. Strengthening the gluteus minimus is key to correcting this imbalance.