From my personal experience refining hip thrust form, I found that heel placement is often overlooked but is crucial for maximizing glute engagement. Initially, I kept feeling the work mostly in my quads and hamstrings, which was frustrating since my goal was to target my glutes more effectively. The game-changer was placing a small plate under my knee and ensuring my heel was aligned at the start of the plate so that my shin was vertical at the movement's peak. This small tweak made a significant difference, allowing my glutes to truly drive the thrust rather than letting my quads dominate the movement. This adjustment also helped reduce discomfort in other parts of my legs and improved overall stability during the exercise. I recommend focusing on the angle of your shin during hip thrusts — a vertical shin at the top position tends to distribute the effort properly. Additionally, using props like a small plate to help visualize and maintain correct alignment can be really helpful, especially for beginners. Beyond heel placement, I found that combining this form tweak with progressive overload and consistent glute activation cues enhanced my results significantly. Incorporating hip thrusts into a broader glute workout routine that includes exercises like glute bridges, deadlifts, and lunges can also boost muscle growth and endurance. Always remember to activate your glutes consciously during each rep and maintain control throughout the range of motion to get the best results. This detailed focus changed my perspective on hip thrusts and helped me build stronger, more defined glutes effectively.