Okay, I admit that's a selfie taken in my kitchen :). However, I'm going to make it an educational moment by talking about the importance of functional gluteal strength.
So, lots of people throw out the word "core strength" as a way to prevent lower back pain and injury. No one really talks about the glutes though! The glutes actually attach to the back of your pelvis via the sacrum and are technically on the same kinetic chain as the low back so why aren't people all in a tizzy about the glutes?
Here's why: It's not the most obvious answer. People assume that most folks properly activate their glutes since they are a large muscle. WRONG!!! They activate the quads before the glutes. You can actually engage your core and still not engage your glutes. Kind of amazing, right?
So, how do you functionally activate the glutes then? It's a prerequisite that the pelvis and spine are stable - so activating the muscles for Lumbo - Pelvic stabilization is of utmost importance. Then you must maintain that stabilization as you posteriorly glide the leg and activate the glutes. The emphasis is MAINTAIN stabilization as it is a dynamic process. If your movement is constantly driving from and referring back to your center of gravity your body has no choice but to use the glutes to move the leg. Unfortunately usually your low back and quads run the show and that where you get into trouble.
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