It took me a long time to figure out that so many of my lifting weak points were related to glute activation issues. Since I now know this, I have been trying to focus a lot more attention on my glutes during my lifts. At lighter weights all is good. But at heavier weights I am becoming more and more aware that I can’t seem to feel/squeeze my left glute during the lift. I’m trying but can only feel the right side responding to my efforts. This applies to squats, deadlifts, good mornings — across the board. I’m not sure if my left side was always a slacker or if it’s just that my recent corrective efforts have been more successful on just the right.
Interested to get some advice about how to approach this problem. Something tells me that it’s more than just an imbalance in muscular development. (Though, I do think that a mild strength imbalance may also be there as a result.) Is there some type of practitioner that would be the right fit for this? Should I just do glute activation drills for the left side only until that side “catches up” in terms of how things fire?
An article I saw suggested I should take the weight down on my lifts and only train as heavy as I can while feeling both sides fire or I risk further strengthening a dysfunctional firing pattern. But, obviously, I’d rather not do that unless it is truly needed.
Anything you can tell me or resources you can point me to would be appreciated. thanks
