Got a Desk Job? You Need to Do These 3 Resistance-Band Moves Before Your Workout

Burst | Matthew Henry

Whether you're aware of it or not, you probably have "dead-butt syndrome," a symptom most common in those who sit at a desk all day, have just sat through a long flight, or sleep in fetal position. Sound familiar? Many of us are constantly going from one place to the next, including the office to the gym or fresh off the plane to a hotel or meeting. In an effort to help you maintain your health and wellness routine while you're on the road, Westin Hotels partnered up with Goop to bring you a fitness experience called G. Sport Sessions. POPSUGAR recently had the opportunity to join the Chicago stop, where we sweat it out with Tracy Anderson and learned a lesson about this so called "syndrome."

According to Westin's Global Run Concierge Chris Heuisler, such lifestyle factors minimize glute activity, resulting in tight hips and perhaps even related knee pain or lower-back issues.

"You're basically turning off your glutes 75 percent of the day," Chris told POPSUGAR. "Then you get out of your desk and go right to your SoulCycle class or go right to your run without warming up at all. What you're doing is running with a dead butt; you're now running with your largest muscle group asleep, putting more pressure on your knees and lower back."

An effective way to wake up the glutes is to utilize a resistance band, aka the cheapest and most underrated piece of fitness equipment. Not only are you properly warming up your lower body, but you're also naturally getting a mini leg-and-butt workout in the process.

See three warmup band exercises from Chris that will fire up your glutes and open up your hips.

Toe-Ups
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Yi

Toe-Ups

Dig your left big toe into the ground for stability. Keeping your hips as centered and still as possible, raise your right knee to your waist. Repeat 10 reps on each side.

Toe-Outs
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Yi

Toe-Outs

Keep your weight on your left leg and your chest slightly over your knees as you bring your right leg out to the side. Repeat 10 reps on each side.

Lateral Walks
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Yi

Lateral Walks

Sit into your hips standing with your feet directly underneath you. Take a step sideways to the right as far as you can and bring your left foot to meet your right. Repeat 10 reps on each side.