The Forgotten Muscle with the Claim to Be Stronger Than Anything Else—Here’s Why It Matters - gate.institute
The Forgotten Muscle That Surpasses Everything Else: Why It’s Time to Recognize Its True Power
The Forgotten Muscle That Surpasses Everything Else: Why It’s Time to Recognize Its True Power
In the world of strength and athleticism, most people focus on muscles like the glutes, lats, or quads— muscles celebrated for their visible manifestation and explosive power. But deep beneath the surface lies a hidden powerhouse: the posterior chain, including the psoas muscle—often called the forgotten muscle with the claim to be stronger than anything else.
Though rarely showcased in photos or mainstream fitness culture, the psoas (pronounced “so-as”) plays a critical role in movement, posture, and overall strength. More than just a hip flexor, this small but mighty muscle links your lower spine, pelvis, and legs, enabling critical functional power far beyond what meets the eye.
Understanding the Context
Why the Psoas Deserves the Title of Strongest Muscle
While strength packaging often measures peak exertion or magnitude of pull, the psoas outlasts and outsupports nearly every other muscle due to its systemic influence:
- Full-Body Power Generation: The psoas initiates movement in everything from walking and running to lifting and jumping. It’s the foundational link in the kinetic chain—without strong psoas activation, even the strongest legs fail to deliver peak force.
- Postural Resilience: Chronic sitting and poor posture weaken the psoas, creating imbalance and pain. When balanced, it stabilizes the spine and pelvis, functioning as nature’s internal brace.
- Unmatched Endurance: Unlike short, explosive muscles, the psoas functions continuously, supporting posture and movement throughout daily life. Its endurance makes it statistically stronger in functional endurance tests.
- Integrative Strength: It’s not just about raw force—it’s the central node connecting mobility, stability, and force transmission across your entire body.
Why It’s Been Overlooked
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Key Insights
The psoas lives deep within your core and hip flexor group, hidden from view and often misunderstood. Most fitness protocols don’t prioritize it, focusing instead on flashy muscles with visible hypertrophy. This oversight is a missed opportunity—training the forgotten muscle directly enhances overall performance, reduces injury risk, and improves movement efficiency.
The Bigger Picture: Stronger Not Just in Strength, But in Function
Recognizing the psoas as the “forgotten muscle with the claim to be stronger than anything else” shifts the narrative from superficial strength to functional supremacy. It’s not about pushing harder—it’s about moving smarter. A balanced posterior chain creates a foundation where every other muscle performs at its peak, enabling explosive power without strain.
How to Strengthen It Safely
- Engage in dynamic hip flexor activation (e.g., controlled rolling, lunge variations)
- Practice core stability drills that involve spinal tension, like dead bugs and bird-dogs
- Integrate functional movements such as single-leg squats and Turkish get-ups
- Maintain good posture and correct sitting habits to keep the psoas healthy and balanced
Final Thoughts
Final Thought
The psoas may not boast flashy biceps or quad definition, but its influence is unmatched. It’s not just strong—it’s the engine behind strength, stability, and resilience. The next time you train, don’t forget the forgotten muscle with the quiet claim to power. Train your whole system—not just your visible gains. Because true strength starts from within.
Key takeaway: The psoas muscle, often overlooked, is arguably the strongest muscle in the body—not by sheer force, but by its foundational role in movement, endurance, and functional power. Recognizing and training the posterior chain’s forgotten gem unlocks deeper strength, better posture, and lasting athletic performance. Prioritize the forgotten—because the strongest muscle may not be the one you see.