Fix Weak Glutes with Cranial Nerves
Revolutionary Techniques to Strengthen Your Weak Glutes Without Traditional Exercises
If you've been tirelessly working your glutes but one side just doesn't seem to catch up, you're in for a revelation. Today, we're ditching the conventional workouts for something that targets the root of the problem - your brain. Here are two groundbreaking options that will change the way you approach glute strengthening forever.
1. **Identify Your Weaker Glute**
First things first, pinpoint which glute needs more work. This can be easily done through exercises like single-leg glute bridges, squats, or hip thrusts. Pay attention to which side feels less engaged or weaker - that's your target.
2. **Engage Your Brain with Sound Stimulus**
You'll need headphones for this one. Play music in the ear that corresponds to your weaker glute side for about 20 seconds. This peculiar method uses applied neurology principles, specifically activating cranial nerve 8 (the vestibulocochlear nerve), which is connected to the pons in the brainstem. The pons plays a crucial role in global muscle tone and reflexive stabilization, especially in extensor muscles like the glutes.
3. **Bite Down to Activate Muscle Strength**
Grab something that you can comfortably bite on one side - think a wooden tongue depressor or a thick piece of rubber. Bite down on the side of your weaker glute before and during your glute bridge exercise. This action stimulates cranial nerve 5 (the trigeminal nerve), also targeting the pons in the brainstem. The result? Enhanced activation and strength in your weak glute.
Both sound stimulus and biting are forms of cranial nerve activation that directly communicate with the parts of your brain responsible for muscle activation and coordination of extensor muscles. By focusing on these unconventional stimuli, you're able to bypass some of the traditional barriers to muscle strengthening and directly improve neural drive and muscle function. So, next time you hit a plateau with your glute workouts, remember, the solution might just be all in your head - literally.
👋🏻 Hi, I’m Taylor Kruse, a strength & mobility coach who’s passionate about jiu jitsu and neuroscience. I help you with daily exercise and recovery tips so that you can squash your pains and make those gains!
Whenever you're ready here's how we can help you:
- Follow structured programs to keep your joints healthy and your muscles strong even as you age by joining the Strength & Mobility Dojo
- Restore your brain-body connection by deliberately training your unique nervous system using the neurologic blueprint we provide in our specialty course, the Neuro Dojo
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