Glute weakness or asymmetry
Also Known As: Glute imbalance, glute amnesia, underactive glutes, lazy glutes, glute inhibition
Sense of one side not firing; lopsided strength squatting or running; frequent tightness in low back, hips, or hamstrings; unstable on one leg.
Possible conditions related to Glute weakness or asymmetry
Common Causes
Sedentary lifestyle or prolonged sitting
Previous injury or surgery creating compensation patterns
Overdominant quadriceps or hamstrings masking glute underactivation
Running or cycling form issues that shift load away from the glutes
Did You Know?
Glute weakness does not always show up as hip pain. It often contributes to knee pain, hamstring overload, calf tightness, and one-sided fatigue on hills.
How Zenith Can Help
At Zenith in Eugene, we perform a thorough evaluation and movement screen, then utilize manual therapy when appropriate and build a progressive strength plan. This may include glute activation drills, progressive loading, strength and weight training, 2D running gait analysis, bike fit assessment, and sports massage for the TFL, psoas, piriformis, and glutes — based on what’s driving your symptoms.
Next Steps
Book a PT session so we can assess and address the root cause with a movement screen and targeted strength plan.
If you regularly run the Ridgeline Trail, Mt Pisgah, or ride up McKenzie Pass, your glutes are supposed to be doing most of the work. If they aren’t, let’s fix that.