Muscle guide · Hips and glutes

Gluteus minimus

Also called glute min, deep glute

The gluteus minimus is the smallest and deepest of the three glutes. It lies directly under the gluteus medius on the outer hip, and the two work as a pair.

Like the gluteus medius it lifts the leg out to the side and keeps the pelvis level on one leg; its front part also turns the thigh inward.

5 exercises5 with 3D demos5 sourcesUpdated 17 October 2026

Where the gluteus minimus is and what it does

Shaded: the hip abductors area. It marks the region, not the exact outline of the gluteus minimus.

Starts at (origin): The lower part of the outside of the hip-bone wing, under the gluteus medius.Outer surface of the ilium between the anterior and inferior gluteal lines
Attaches to (insertion): The front of the bony knob on the outside of the top of the thigh.Anterior border of the greater trochanter of the femur
What it does: Lifts the leg out to the side and keeps the pelvis level in walking.Hip abduction and pelvic stabilisation
Its front part turns the thigh inward.Hip internal (medial) rotation
Nerve supply: Superior gluteal nerve (L4, L5, S1).

Sources 1, 2

Exercises for the gluteus minimus

In the meta-analysis, the hip hitch and standing isometric abduction worked both parts of the muscle hard; side-lying abduction, single-leg bridges and single-leg squats reached mainly its back part.

Standing wall-press hip abduction demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoStanding wall-press hip abductionBeginner · A wall

Side-lying leg raise demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoSide-lying leg raiseBeginner · No equipment

Single-leg glute bridge demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoSingle-leg glute bridgeIntermediate · No equipment

Skater squat demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoSkater squatAdvanced · No equipment

Supine isometric hip abduction (belt press) demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoSupine isometric hip abduction (belt press)Beginner · A band

Problems linked to the gluteus minimus

Outer hip pain (greater trochanteric pain syndrome)

Tendinopathy where the gluteus minimus attaches to the hip bone is one of the main sources of pain and tenderness over the outside of the hip; it behaves much like rotator-cuff tendinopathy in the shoulder.

Sources 1, 5

Nerve injury after hip replacement

The superior gluteal nerve is injured in 1 to 2% of total hip replacements, weakening the muscle and causing a Trendelenburg gait.

Source 1

Outer hip pain (hip bursitis) guide

Myths worth dropping

Each grade rates the evidence for the correction.

Clamshells train the deep glutesEmerging evidence

Both parts of the gluteus minimus showed low activity during the clam in the meta-analysis.

Source 4

Rest is the cure for outer hip painStrong evidence

In the LEAP trial, education plus progressive exercise did better than a steroid injection and than waiting. The education also taught avoiding positions that press the tendons against the bone, such as crossing the legs.

Source 3

Routines that train it

Glute workout at home

A 25-minute glute workout with bodyweight and a mini band: bridges, clamshells, band walks, kickbacks and lunges.

25 minBeginner9 movesA wall, A band

Balance exercises routine

Balance practice in 10 minutes: tandem stance, single-leg stands, marches, heel walks, tree pose and floor transfers.

10 minBeginner7 movesA wall, A bench or box

Questions people ask

What does the gluteus minimus do?

It helps lift the leg out to the side and keeps the pelvis level when you stand on one leg, working with the gluteus medius. Its front part turns the thigh inward.

How do you strengthen the gluteus minimus?

In a meta-analysis the hip hitch and standing isometric hip abduction worked it hardest; side-lying abduction, single-leg bridges and single-leg squats reached mainly its back part.

Where is the gluteus minimus?

It is the deepest glute, directly under the gluteus medius on the outer hip, running from the outside of the hip bone to the front of the bony knob at the top of the thigh.

Muscles it works with

Sources

Anatomy and movement education, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. If you have pain that follows an injury, is severe or getting worse, or comes with numbness, weakness or swelling, get it assessed. Health disclaimer.