Blog | Rapid Health Optimization

Perform Podcast S2E3: How to Build Bigger, Stronger Glutes with Dr. Bret Contreras

Written by RAPID Team | Feb 21, 2025

Season 2 of Perform continues its mission to break down the science of elite performance. In Episode 3, Dr. Andy Galpin welcomes Dr. Bret Contreras, PhD, CSCS—widely regarded as ‘The Glute Guy’—to discuss the intricacies of glute training and strength development.

Understanding the Science of Glute Growth

Contreras and Galpin explore the anatomy and function of the glutes, discussing their essential role in power, speed, and injury resilience.

Maximizing Training Efficiency

From hip thrusts to squats, they break down the most effective exercises for glute development and provide insights into optimizing training form and programming.

Individualized Training Approaches

The episode examines how training strategies should be adapted based on personal goals, physiological differences, and athletic performance needs.

The Critical Role of Recovery

Galpin and Contreras emphasize how structured recovery protocols enhance muscle growth and prevent plateaus.

Training Considerations for Women

A deep dive into how biological and hormonal differences influence training program design, exercise selection, and recovery strategies.

Evolving Science in Strength Training

A discussion on how to stay adaptable to new research and refine training methods for continuous progress.

Key Takeaways

  • Strong glutes contribute to both aesthetics and athletic performance.

  • Proper exercise selection and programming optimize glute development.

  • Recovery and periodization are essential for long-term progress.

  • Women’s training should be tailored to physiological differences.

  • Staying updated with scientific research improves training efficiency.