Ever see someone do something and you say to yourself “that can’t be good right?” An easy example is a guy lifting a heavy thing, with bad posture, and doing a twisting motion. On instinct alone, you know it’s just not right. But what about something more subtle?

Ever see someone pose or walk with their booty with a little extra “pop”? Not sure if “Instagram butt” is a coined phrase, but that’s what I’m referring to here. Prized by many of the world’s Kim K followers, could the elevated derriere really be a Kracken, as yet unleashed? Let’s analyze: I read that our sedentary lifestyles can promote a posture that can make our glutes and abs weaker, while making other muscles tighter. The result is the Anterior Pelvic Tilt, where the front of your pelvis is rotated down, while the back of the pelvis is rotated up. Yes, it sounds exactly like what “Instagram butt” looks like. See the image showing regular posture compared to an exaggerated Anterior Pelvic Tilt posture. While an excessively curved spine might be the modern definition of “hot” (like the “good ole days” foot binding in Japan and the Victorian era faint-inducing corsets), the possible damage to your lumbar vertebrae might not be worth it. At best, sticking your booty out will do nothing. At worst, your lumbar vertebra will grind down and possibly require spinal fusion surgery to lock them in place.

I’m neither the fashion police, nor a doctor, but if you want a healthier spine (and better fitness while you’re at it), then there are a couple of exercises that can help you get your pelvis back into alignment: Glute Bridges will strengthen those butt muscles which will rotate the back of your pelvis down, while Dead Bugs will strengthen your abs and pull the front of your pelvis up. Please see the demonstrations of these exercises in our previous posts for guidance on doing them.

Happy Fitness everyone!

• 

•