Back in 2011 I wrote an article called “How your BUM controls your BODY”. In the article I explained why the gluteus muscles are such an important muscle to train because it directly affected your ankles, knees and hips. If you haven’t already read it, then I suggest you go read it by clicking here.
In about 90% of lower leg injuries, I find that these gluteus muscle needs strengthening, so its crucial if you have any of those conditions mentioned in the previous article. In the article I only showed one exercise to do that targeted that gluteus muscle. Today I want to give you some more so you can really work it.
Advanced Clam
The starting position for this exercise is much the same as for the original Clam shell exercise (lying on your side,knees bent and heels touching). Place your forearm on the floor and then “push” your bottom knee into the floor, forcing your body to lift up off the floor-similar to a side plank. Now move the top knee up and down, but keep the heels touching.
The difference here is that you are training BOTH bum muscles at the same time. The bottom leg’s bum muscle is having to hold you up whilst keeping static (isometric) whilst the top leg’s bum muscle is moving the top leg (concentric). Trust me, it’s a real killer and you should feel the burn in your bum, right behind your hip. Once you can do 3 sets of 15 reps, then try adding an elastic band around your knees. An added advantage of this exercise is that is also trains your core at the same time!
This one looks easy but don’t be fooled… Stand with one leg over the edge of a step. Now keeping both knees LOCKED OUT STRAIGHT, lower your one leg by dropping your pelvis down on that side (keep those knees straight!). Now lift that leg as high up as you can and repeat. You want to concentrate on slowly lowering the leg (eccentric movement), and you should feel a burn in the gluteus muscle of the leg that you are standing on. Again, do 3sets of 10-15, but the slower you go the better.
So there you have it, two more exercises to add to your prevention program! And to all my CrossFit Athletes, this WILL help with your squat form! Tight buns
Ric@PhysioPRO
BY: Riccardo Vaccaro
Foot injuries, Hip injuries, Knee injuries, Lower Limb injuries