Why I Love Training Runners (and the Secret Power of Strong Glute Meds)

Mary here is an incredible runner!

I love working with runners! They show up fit, strong, disciplined. 

One of the things I like to work on with them is strengthening the gluteus medius, the unsung hero of hip stability.

Here’s why glute med training is fantastic for runners:

• Pelvic stability: Glute med keeps the pelvis level during single-leg stance (which is basically what running is — a series of single-leg landings).

• Knee alignment: Weak glute med lets the femur cave inward, setting up the knee for valgus stress and overuse injuries (IT band issues, runner’s knee).

• Force efficiency: Stable hips = less wasted energy side-to-side, more efficient propulsion forward.

What happens without it

• Hip drop (a.k.a. Trendelenburg gait — the “sassy hip” walk).

• Overuse injuries downstream (shin splints, plantar fasciitis) because the body compensates.

• Overload upstream (low back, SI joint pain).

Train the glute med, and suddenly every stride feels a little lighter, a little faster, a little freer.