10 Must-Do Exercises for a Bigger Butt!
If you’re on the journey to achieve a firmer, rounder backside, you’re in the right place! The right exercises for a bigger butt can make all the difference, and the best part is that you don’t need to spend hours in the gym.
From squats to hip thrusts, these fun and effective movements will enhance your glute strength and improve your overall lower-body fitness. Ready to discover the top exercises that will help you sculpt the perfect peach? Let’s dive in!
1. Squats
Squats are a fantastic exercise that targets your glutes and strengthens your entire lower body. Picture this: you stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, ready to lower your body as if you’re about to sit in a chair. As you bend your knees and hips, focus on keeping your back straight and your chest up—this is key to avoiding injury!
Once you’re down, push through your heels to return to standing, squeezing those glutes at the top. You can mix it up with variations like sumo squats for a wider stance or goblet squats using a dumbbell for added resistance. They’re versatile, can be done anywhere, and are perfect for building that firm, rounded backside.
Aim for three to four sets of 8 to 12 reps, and feel free to challenge yourself by gradually increasing the weights. Not only will you see improvements in your glutes, but squats also help with overall leg strength and functional movement. So, get ready to squat your way to a firmer butt!
2. Lunges
Lunges are an excellent addition to any workout routine. They offer a great way to sculpt your glutes and legs while improving balance and coordination. Step forward with one leg to get started, lowering your body until both knees create a 90-degree angle. Remember to keep that front knee behind your toes! Push back up to your starting position and switch legs.
You can spice things up with different types of lunges: reverse lunges, which are easier on the knees, or walking lunges for a dynamic movement. If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding weights for an extra challenge! Aim for three to four sets of 10 to 15 reps on each leg, and don’t rush—focus on form for the best results.
Lunges are not just about aesthetics; they help enhance your functional fitness and athletic performance. So, let’s lunge our way to those stronger glutes!
3. Deadlifts
Deadlifts are like the Swiss army knife of strength training, effectively targeting your glutes, hamstrings, and lower back all in one move. To perform a deadlift, stand with your feet hip-width apart, with a barbell resting over your mid-foot.
Bend at your hips and knees to grab the bar, keeping your back straight and core tight. As you lift, think of pushing through your heels and bringing your hips forward to stand tall. This powerful movement builds glute strength and improves overall body mechanics and posture. You can mix it up with variations like Romanian deadlifts for extra hamstring focus or single-leg deadlifts to challenge your balance. Aim for three to five sets of six to eight reps, increasing the weight as you grow stronger.
Remember, form is everything! Incorporating deadlifts into your routine will seriously level your strength game and help you achieve those beautifully sculpted glutes.
4. Hip Thrusts
Hip thrusts are a go-to exercise for anyone looking to target their glutes. Imagine sitting on the floor with your upper back against a bench, a barbell resting over your hips. You push through your heels and lift your hips towards the ceiling, squeezing those glutes at the top. It’s like giving your backside a nice workout hug!
This movement is super effective because it allows for full glute activation and can enhance your strength. For an extra challenge, try single-leg hip thrusts or elevate your feet for a deeper range of motion. When adding hip thrusts to your routine, aim for three to four sets of 8 to 12 reps, and don’t shy away from increasing the weight as you progress.
These bad boys help you build a stronger backside, improve your athletic performance, and make everyday movements easier. So, let’s get those hips thrusting!
5. Glute Bridges
Glute bridges are a fantastic exercise you can do anywhere to fire up those glutes! To get started, lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
As you lift your hips towards the ceiling, think about squeezing your glutes at the top. It’s such a satisfying movement! You can keep it simple or make it more challenging by elevating your feet on a bench or adding a barbell for extra resistance.
Glute bridges are great for building strength, helping improve hip mobility, and serving as a fantastic warm-up before your main workout. Aim for three sets of 15 to 20 reps, focusing on control and squeezing at the top.
By incorporating glute bridges into your routine, you’ll notice improved glute activation and a stronger, firmer backside. So, let’s bridge our way to a fabulous glute workout!
6. Step-Ups
Step-ups are such a fun and functional exercise that can seriously boost your glute strength! To perform a step-up, find a sturdy bench or platform and stand before it. Place one foot firmly on the surface, then press through your heel to lift your body, bringing the other foot to join it.
Lower yourself back down and switch legs. It’s like stepping into strength! To make it even more exciting, add dumbbells or try lateral step-ups for variety. When you include step-ups in your routine, aim for three to four sets of 10 to 15 reps per leg, focusing on controlled movements to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Not only do step-ups help build a rounder backside, but they also improve balance and functional strength for everyday activities. So, step right up to those stronger glutes!
7. Leg Press
The leg press is a powerhouse machine for anyone looking to strengthen their glutes and legs! To get started, sit on the leg press machine with your back supported and feet positioned shoulder-width apart on the platform. Push the platform away by extending your legs, ensuring your knees align with your toes.
Lower the weight back down in a controlled manner, keeping tension in your legs. This exercise allows you to safely lift heavier weights, making it perfect for building strength and size. Try a wider stance on the platform and push through your heels to emphasize your glutes even more.
Aim for three to four sets of 8 to 12 reps, gradually increasing the weight as you get stronger. By incorporating the leg press into your routine, you’ll see improvements in your glutes and your overall lower body strength. So, let’s press our way to some fabulous glutes!
8. Cable Kickbacks
Cable kickbacks are a fantastic way to isolate your glutes and feel the burn! Attach an ankle strap to a low pulley on a cable machine and stand facing it to get started. Secure the strap around one ankle, hinge forward slightly at the hips, and extend your leg straight back, squeezing your glute at the top of the movement.
It’s a simple yet super-effective exercise that allows a focused glute contraction. If you don’t have access to a cable machine, you can also try this with a resistance band. Aim for three to four sets of 10 to 15 reps on each leg, adjusting the weight to maintain proper form.
Not only will cable kickbacks help sculpt your glutes, but they’ll also improve your overall lower body strength. So, let’s kick it up a notch for those fabulous glutes!
9. Clamshells
Clamshells are a delightful little exercise focusing on your gluteus medius, helping you build hip stability and strength! To perform a clamshell, lie on your side with your legs stacked and knees bent at a 90-degree angle. Keep your feet together, and lift your top knee as high as you can without moving your hips or lower back.
It’s like your hips are opening up like clams! To make this exercise even more effective, add a resistance band around your thighs. Clamshells are great for warming up those hips before your main workout or as part of your routine.
Aim for three sets of 15 to 20 reps on each side, focusing on control and form. Regularly including clamshells in your routine can enhance glute strength and improve your overall lower body aesthetics. So, let’s get those clamshells working for those beautiful glutes!
10. Donkey Kicks
Donkey kicks are a fun and effective exercise for isolating and strengthening your glutes! To perform this move, start on all fours with your hands beneath your shoulders and knees beneath your hips. Keep your core engaged and back straight as you lift one leg towards the ceiling, keeping the knee bent at a 90-degree angle.
It’s like your leg is a happy little donkey kicking back! Focus on squeezing your glute at the top before lowering your leg back. This exercise can be done with just body weight or by adding ankle weights for extra resistance. Aim for three to four sets of 10 to 15 reps on each leg, and remember to control your movements to maximize engagement.
Incorporating donkey kicks into your workout routine will help you build stronger, rounder glutes, and they’re a great way to add variety to your exercises. So, let’s kick it into gear for those fabulous glutes!