
What Does "Wake Up Your Glutes" Actually Mean? Dr. Gaby Go, DPT Explains Glute Activation
Tread Lightly Running Science PodcastShow Notes
You have probably encountered claims that your “glutes aren’t firing” or that you have “sleepy glutes,” and that lazy glutes are hurting your running. This approach misses a lot of nuance: if you can stand, your glutes work; but weak glutes can impact running injury risk and running economy. We are joined by Dr. Gaby Go, DPT and run coach, who explains the nuances of glute activation and why strong glutes matter for runners. Thank you to our sponsors: ✨ Good Ranchers: American-grown meat, delivered frozen to your doorstep. Use code IRON for $40 off the first order, or$100 off across the first three orders when customers start a subscription. Plus free protein with every order (choice of burgers, bacon, or chicken breasts). Be sure to mention “Tread Lightly Podcast” for how you heard about the company! https://www.goodranchers.com/
In this episode, you’ll learn: ✅ How the glutes and agonzing/antagonizing muscles work in your running stride ✅ What does “glute activation” actually mean? ✅ If squeezing your glutes while you run helps or harms ✅ Signs and symptoms of underactive or weak glutes ✅ Whether sitting all day harms your running or not ✅ When to use bodyweight/banded glute exercises and when to progress them ✅ How to know if you are doing too much strength training ✅ Do you need to change your running form for optimal glute activation?
Tread Lightly Running is hosted and researched by Amanda Brooks and Laura Norris, MSc. Production, show notes, and graphics by Laura Norris.
Connect with our guest: Dr Gaby Go on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.gabygo/ Work with Dr. Gaby Go at https://gorunstronger.com/ Let’s stay connected: ➡️ Tread Lightly Running Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treadlightlyrunning/ ➡️ Laura Norris Running on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauranorrisrunning/ ➡️ Subscribe for weekly evidence-based newsletters, straight to your inbox, on https://lauranorrisrunning.substack.com/ ➡️ Run to the Finish on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runtothefinish/?hl=en ➡️ Thousands of running gear reviews and training guides: https://runtothefinish.com/
More from Tread Lightly Running Science Podcast
“You’ve got to have high challenge and high support.” In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Duncan Simpson of Dartmouth’s Teeven Center for Peak Performance to discuss the psychology of pushing yourself to your limits as a runner.
If you google “Half Marathon Training Plan,” the search engine presents you with an overwhelming variety of options: Galloway, Hansons, Hal Higdon, Daniels, and more. In this episode, we discuss the fundamental principles of volume, intensity, and progression in the most popular half marathon methodologies.
Running is not bad for your knees - if anything, consistent running is remarkably beneficial for your cardiovascular, metabolic, and mental health. In this episode, we delve into the research around running, disease risk, and mortality/longevity. You will learn how running improves heart health, lowers cancer risk, helps you sleep, and more.
Recovery tools have proliferated in the running world over the past few years: red light therapy, ice plunge buckets, peptides, and more. However, the expensive price tag does not guarantee efficacy. In this episode, we look at the data behind various recovery tools and if they actually work - or if they just come with a powerful placebo effect.
Are broccoli sprout shots the secret to your next PR? Will U-Can gels help you manage weight? And are greens powders a scam or magic bullet? We sit down with registered dietitian Alex Larson, the founder of Alex Larson Nutrition. She answers all our questions on GLP-1s, cortisol-reducing supplements, lactate gels, if Laura can make her own Nomio at home, and more.