Toning and building your glutes can be done at home or in the gym. Read here for eight can't miss glute exercises for men and women.
Most people would never say that they wouldn't prefer a great butt. However, many think they're unable to achieve this. But you can build great glutes by doing the right exercises consistently.
Do you want to tone and build your glutes? If so, you're in luck! In this blog post, we will discuss eight glute exercises that are perfect for anyone.
Glutes may seem like one large organ but they're actually a little more complex. Your gluteal region consists of three major muscles─ the gluteus medius, gluteus maximus, and, and gluteus medius.
Since we often sit on these muscles all day, they tend to "fall asleep". The only way to build muscle here is to wake it back up through glute activation, strengthening, and growth exercises. You can learn what these are by checking out our list of glute exercises to help you tone below.
Glute bridges are a great warm-up for your rear. They work the glutes and hamstrings, as well as your calves. This is a home workout that only requires a mat and a body!
To start a glute bridge, lie flat on your back with feet flat on the ground and shoulder-width apart. Keep your legs bent to 90 degrees. From there, drive your heels into the ground and lift your torso and upper legs into the air.
While in the air, you should be extending your hips until your thighs and torso are in line with each other. Hold this position for two seconds then slowly lower your body back to the start position, and repeat.
A kickback is a low-impact glute exercise that mostly focuses on all parts of the glutes (with proper form) and the hamstrings. One of the variations for this exercise requires you to kneel on all fours with palms flat on the floor and shoulder-width apart. Your legs should be bent to 90 degrees.
While keeping your core engaged and back level, slowly lift one leg straight back until your hamstring is parallel to the floor. Stay in this position for two seconds then slowly lower your leg back to the start position, and repeat.
The other variation of glute kickbacks is performed standing up while slightly bending forward. Follow the same instructions but try it without the hold.
A glute band can add an extra challenge to some exercises. If you want to do a glute bridge using one, start by lying flat on your back with feet flat on the ground and shoulder-width apart. Remember to bend your legs to a 90-degree angle.
Place the band around your ankles and press your heels into the ground as you lift your torso and upper legs into the air. Do this while extending your hips until your thighs and torso are in line with each other.
Try to hold each rep for two seconds. Slowly lower your body back to the start positioning after the hold and repeat the movement.
If you've heard of some of the wonders that squats can do for your glutes then you'll appreciate this exercise. Wall-sits start with you standing with your back against a wall. From there, you'll assume a "sitting in a chair" position with your feet shoulder-width apart and legs bent to 90 degrees.
Slide down the wall until your thighs are parallel to the ground. Slowly bring yourself back up the wall and repeat this movement for a few more reps. Wall-sits work the glutes, quads, calves, hamstrings, and core muscles.
Want to exercise ideas to increase intensity? Grab a medicine and hold it out directly in front of you as you perform the exercise.
Hip thrusts are similar to glute bridges but are typically done while lying halfway on a bench. Start with your back on a supporting surface (chair, bench, etc) and knees bent at 90 degrees. Place a barbell over your hips and rest it against your thighs while keeping your feet flat on the floor hip-width apart.
Drive heels into the floor while pushing hips up until they are aligned with shoulders. Hold for two seconds and slowly lower your hips back to the starting position. For extra comfort, use a pad or wrap something soft around the barbell to relieve some of the pressure from your hips.
Lunges are well-known classic exercises that help strengthen and tone muscle. Weighted lunges can be just the workout you need to get your glute muscles firing.
Place a barbell on each shoulder and stand up straight with your core tightened. Start taking one step forward with the right leg so that the left heel is lifted off the floor. Bend at the hips and knees until the front knee forms a 90-degree angle while the right thigh is parallel to the floor.
Reverse this motion and repeat it with the opposite leg. If you don't have enough space in your workout area to walk, try stationary lunges instead.
Working out the glutes properly requires movements that hit different angles and ranges. Clamshells are ideal for strengthening the gluteus medius and your pelvis.
Begin this exercise by lying on your side with feet and knees together with your hips and shoulders stacked. Let your head rest on top of the arm on the side you're lying on.
Place one hand on top of the other then use them to lift your upper body slightly off the floor. Keep your knees to a 90-degree angle and slowly raise your top knee. If you need extra support, consider using a yoga block or towel for your neck.
Strengthening and growing your glutes starts with being able to properly activate them then applying the right intensity of stimulation. The great news is that all of these glute exercises can be used in a gym workout or a home workout.
Start using these movements today to build and tone your glutes. If you need assistance with improving your fitness, visit us to learn more about the resources we have to help you reach your goals.
John@lykofit.com
Gates of
715 5th Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta, T2P 2X6
Canad
715 5th Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta, T2P 2X6
Canad
715 5th Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta, T2P 2X6
Canada
715 5th Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta, T2P 2X6
Can