What are glutes?
Many people may want to strengthen and grow their glutes — otherwise known as your butt — for aesthetic reasons.
But when it comes to your physical health, having strong glutes is essential. "They are the primary mobilizers of the hips and thighs so when we sit, stand, jump, or even climb steps, the glutes are engaged for all these functions," says Ben Walker, a certified personal trainer and the owner of Anywhere Fitness, a fitness studio located in Dublin, Ireland.
The glutes consist of three muscles:
Gluteus maximus. This is responsible for hip extension, like when you are walking, and lateral rotation of the thigh, such as swinging your leg.
Gluteus medius. This is responsible for the movement of your leg away from your body, like when you're stepping out of bed, and balance.
Gluteus minimus. This is the smallest of the three muscles and helps with walking and rotating your legs.
glute muscles
Your glutes are comprised of three main muscles. Shayanne Gal/Insider
If you spend most of your time sitting, it's likely that your glutes are weak or underworked. Having weak glutes puts you at risk for developing gluteal amnesia, which is when your glutes forget how to function properly. If your glutes aren't working properly, it can affect your ability to move and cause knee and low back pain.
"It's more important to keep your glutes strong because most people are spending sedentary due to their work environment and lifestyle choices," says Idalis Velazquez, a fitness trainer based in Miami, Florida.
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