Do This Seated Glute Strengthener To Treat Parkinson’s Weak Hips

Strong glutes are vital for everyone, and especially if you have Parkinson’s. Your glutes are a very important muscle group for many reasons: they help balance your gait and stance, prevent falls, improve posture, and prevent back, hip, and knee problems. However, most of my private and group clients with back, hip, or knee pain couldn’t fire their glutes when we first started working together. This is very common!

Why Are the Glutes So Inactive?

The primary reason people suffer from underactive glutes is too much sitting. Even runners and other athletes who exercise every day, if they don’t do targeted glute exercises, they may not be using their glutes correctly or at all.

With Parkinson’s, inactive glutes can also be attributed to neuromuscular disconnect. This disconnection changes the mechanics and motor programming of a person’s body. This can lead to some muscle groups becoming overactive, while others become underactive. Compensation occurs and throws off everything, eventually resulting in injury.

Let’s put the two together: Parkinson’s neuromuscular disconnect + sitting too much = Parkinson’s Lazy Bum. Your glutes fall out of commission, followed by dysfunction, pain, and injury.

Glute activation means getting your muscles to contract at the right time so you can start strengthening them.

This exercise is great for everyone. You can do it seated, so whether you are a high-functioning athlete wanting to reconnect with your glutes, or you have difficulty with balance and can’t stand independently, this is a great place to start.

Watch this video to learn how to do the Seated Glute Strengthener to Treat Parkinson’s Weak Hips:

Here are the step-by-step instructions for this exercise:

• Start by sitting in a chair with the seat high enough so that your knees are lower than your hips.

• Take a resistance band and wrap it around your legs above your knees. You can double it up if you need more resistance. Tying it up will free your hands, just make sure you are safe doing this. Having your legs tied together could create a fall risk if you are unsteady.

• With your feet about 8-12 inches apart (you can play with the distance to optimize your glute contraction), separate your knees in opposite directions from each other.

• Return to the starting position and repeat at least 10 times. You can do multiple sets, multiple times per day.

*** Warning: Do not attempt to stand up while the resistance band is around your legs. It is dangerous even if your ability is high.

This exercise is for everyone! It’s easy to do, highly targeted for the glute muscles, and you can do it even as a hip, knee, or back rehab exercise because it’s gentle but effective.

💜 Coach Kimberly