GlutesSource-checked

Gluteus minimus

Pronunciation: GLOO-tee-us MIN-ih-mus

For beginners

The smallest, deepest glute muscle — it works together with the gluteus medius just above it, so in practice you train them as a team, not separately.

Show the advanced explanation

Because it lies deep to the gluteus medius and shares similar attachments and actions, it is functionally treated as part of the same 'abductor/stabilizer' unit rather than trained in isolation.

Structure & function

Location: The smallest and deepest of the three gluteal muscles, lying directly beneath the gluteus medius.
Origin: Outer surface of the ilium (below the gluteus medius origin).
Insertion: Greater trochanter of the femur.
Main action(s): Abducts and internally rotates the thigh at the hip; works with the gluteus medius to stabilize the pelvis during single-leg stance.
Joint(s) crossed: Hip joint
Movement plane: frontal (abduction)
Innervation: Superior gluteal nerve (L4–S1)
In daily movement: Assists the gluteus medius in keeping the pelvis level while walking.
In exercise: Co-activated with the gluteus medius in hip-abduction and single-leg stability exercises; not typically isolated on its own.
Commonly confused with: Frequently not distinguished from the gluteus medius at all in casual conversation — they are separate muscles but act as a close team.
Common misconceptions: There is no isolated exercise that trains only the gluteus minimus without also involving the gluteus medius.

Exercises that use this muscle

As a secondary / stabilizer

Side-Lying Hip Abduction (secondary)

⚠ Safety note

Same precautions as the gluteus medius — assess new or worsening pelvic-drop patterns during walking.

Sources

“The gluteus minimus abducts and medially rotates the thigh and assists pelvic stabilization.”

Anatomy and Physiology 2e — OpenStax, Rice University · Ch. 11.6 Appendicular Muscles of the Pelvic Girdle and Lower Limbs

Peer-reviewed textbook · License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 · Last checked 2026-07-19