Your Butt is Winking...huh???

Say what? Have you heard of this?

Yep- it's a thing. When you move your hips back and down for a squat, at what point do you find your pelvis rounding under? That point is when we say your butt is “winking”!

Why does this happen?

Well, most often because of tight hamstrings and glute. As you lower in to the squat, the tight/inflexible hamstrings pull the pelvis into a posterior tilt and your back "rounds". This puts your spine into a less than optimal position for supporting and transferring load. It's not such a big deal when you are empty handed but start adding weight to your upper body and your back may say, "Ouch!". You may also note that your heels pop off of the ground.

What to do?

Consider using a mirror to watch your squat or have a friend video your squat technique. Take note of where the wink occurs and try not to go lower than this in your squat until you have increased your hamstring and glute flexibility. You really are only as strong as you are flexible. Work thru the full range of motion when exercising. The cool thing is that you can actually build strength AND flexibility.

Try this stretching session to increase your hip and hamstring flexibility and let us know how you felt afterwards!