Gluteus Medius

glute med -- 2016
Gluteus Medius

Pictured above is the gluteus medius muscle. It primarily works to extend (open) the hip, and is especially involved in stabilizing the hip when standing on one leg. It is very likely that this muscle will need stretching and SMR attention, so address it often.

The muscles are layered, showing how some of the muscles are covered by the others. All of the muscles are see-through so that you can appreciate the location and size of each muscle relative to the others.

Individual hip, lower back & thigh muscles you might be interested in: (any inactive links will be live soon)

Click here for a list of all the muscles.

Muscle that crosses the hip/lower back joint and crosses the hip/thigh joint (attaches to the spine and the femur)

  1. Psoas


Muscles that attach to the hip and the spine and/or ribs

  1. Rectus Abdominus
  2. External Abdominal Oblique
  3. Internal Abdominal Oblique
  4. Transverse Abdominus
  5. Latissimus Dorsi
  6. Iliocostalis Lumborum
  7. Longissimus Thoracis
  8. Quadratus Lumborum
  9. Multifidi


Muscles that attach to the hip and the thigh bone (femur)

  1. Iliacus
  2. Rectus Femoris
  3. Tensor Fasciae Latae
  4. Sartorius
  5. Gracilis
  6. Adductor Magnus
  7. Adductor Longus
  8. Adductor Brevis
  9. Pectineus
  10. Gluteus Maximus
  11. Gluteus Medius
  12. Gluteus Minimus
  13. Piriformis
  14. Superior Gemellus
  15. Obturator Internus
  16. Inferior Gemellus
  17. Obturator Externus
  18. Quadratus Femoris
  19. Biceps Femoris
  20. Semitendonosis
  21. Semimembranosis


Good luck working out those tight knots.

If you have any questions, please post a comment. We try to respond within 24 hours.

We're here to help you get more out of your training!

Glutes Roll

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6th Secondary -- Glutes Roll
Use this SMR exercise to address the muscles in the back of your hips. 

You probably won't notice knots in your buns when you are just walking around, but when you slowly roll through this tissue, you'll find them!

The gluteus maximus (and many of the other posterior hip muscles) is involved in any movement using the hips. When one or more of your glutes is dysfunctional, proper hip function is compromised.

You will notice a 'lightness' with body movements if you release any knots in your glutes.
For written instructions, click here to download a printable PDF of the Glutes Roll

For our downloadable video instruction, click here. (video from 2010--updated video is in the works!)

If you have lower back issues you should begin this technique by lying flat on the floor FIRST, then lift your hips to get the roller underneath you (instead of sitting on the roller and lying back).

Be sure to post your questions and comments below. We want to provide the best instruction to help you recover from your workouts.

Click here to return to all of the Fundamental SMR Techniques

**All information is provided for educational purposes only. You should consult your doctor before attempting any exercises you read on this page or any page on this website.**