The 4 Best Exercises to Tone Your Glutes

Photo by Taylor Daugherty on Unsplash

When you think of working the glutes, you’re probably thinking about squats, lunges or deadlifts. There are actually more exercises that you can try to target the butt, and they can be modified by the addition of weights or bands. Strengthening your glutes will ease your daily physical movement, stabilizing your hips and lower back. Before you start your squats and deadlifts, try out these four exercises.

Step Up

Stand facing the box, holding dumbbells or a kettlebell. Place the left foot on the box and push through that leg to lift the right leg from the floor. Drive the right knee up so it is a at a 90-degree angle and then place it back on the floor. Do 10 reps on each side.

Walking Lunges

Take a set of dumbbells and start with your feet together at one end of the gym. Step the right leg forward and bend both knees to lower in a lunge. Press through the right foot to stand and then step the left leg forward and bend both knees into a lunge. Walk this way to the other end of the gym and back again.

Single Leg Deadlift

Stand on the left leg and bring the right foot behind the left leg, point position. The arm with the weight is down by your side and will go down towards the floor when you start the exercise. Engage the abs and start to lean forward, lifting the right leg straight back so your torso and leg are parallel to the floor. Bring the right leg back to start position. Do 12 reps on each side.

Banded Glute Bridge

Wrap a small resistant band around your thighs and lie flat on your back on a yoga mat, with your knees bent and pushing against the band and feet on the floor. Engage your core and start to lift the hips towards to the ceiling, keeping tension with the band the entire way up. Hold for one to two seconds and then come down to start position. Do 15 reps.