Stop Squeezing Your Glutes, Do This Instead

EVOLVE Biomechanics Mentorship: https://www.resilientedu.com/evolve In this video, I break down why “squeeze your glutes” is usually the wrong cue, and what to focus on instead if you actually want to feel them working. Most people struggle to activate their glutes because the problem isn’t the glutes themselves. It’s position. Specifically, the rib cage and the knee. I walk you through two key areas that change everything, how rib flare shuts down effective glute contraction, how knee hyperextension steals work from the hips, and how to fix both with simple, repeatable cues. You’ll see exactly how I coach this with real exercises like the hooklying pullover and the kickstand hinge, and why these setups instantly make glute work feel different without overthinking it. If you’re a coach, clinician, or lifter who wants more consistent results and less guessing, this one matters. If you want more cues like this and a structured way to choose exercises that actually work, check out my Roadmap to Exercise Selection below. Thanks for watching. Like, subscribe, and I’ll see you in the next one. Key Time Codes 00:00 – Why “squeeze your glutes” usually fails 00:25 – The first thing to fix, rib cage position 00:36 – How rib flare shifts the pelvis and locks the glutes 01:17 – Why stiff glutes can’t contract well 01:37 – Hooklying pullover to stack rib cage over pelvis 02:29 – Using breath, feet, and obliques to lock position 03:31 – The second thing to fix, the knee 03:55 – Knee hyperextension and lost hip extension 04:16 – Why glutes need length before contraction 04:57 – Kickstand hinge for proper glute loading 05:58 – How rib cage and pelvis work together 06:05 – Recap and next steps