Having a strong and toned butt is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it also plays a crucial role in our overall health and fitness. However, many people struggle to find the right exercises to target their glutes effectively. While squats are a popular go-to exercise for building a strong butt, there are other moves that can be even more effective. In this article, we will explore the best butt exercises that beat squats.
Incorporating these best butt exercises into your workout routine will help you achieve a strong and toned butt. Perform each exercise for 45 to 60 seconds on each side in the order listed. Then repeat the sequence up to three times to seriously feel the burn.
1. Single-Leg Glute Bridge
Step 1: Lie on your back with your knees bent and the soles of your feet on the floor. Extend one leg.
Step 2: On your exhale, squeeze your glutes and push your hips toward the ceiling as high as you can. Pause, then lower until your butt hovers right above the floor, and repeat without touching the ground to complete one rep.
2. Hydrants With Leg Extension
Step 1: Begin on all fours with your knees hip-width apart and your wrists stacked over your shoulders.
Step 2: Keeping your knees bent at a 90-degree angle, lift your right leg out to hip height, then extend your raised leg straight out to the side. Pause before you bend your knee again and bring your leg back to the starting position to complete one rep.
3. Rainbows
Step 1: Begin on all fours with your knees hip-width apart and your wrists stacked over your shoulders.
Step 2: With a pointed toe, extend your right leg and reach the foot toward the ceiling. Slowly lower your leg to tap the floor. Squeeze your glutes as you lift your leg back to the starting position, then lower your leg to tap the floor about a foot to the left of your kneeling foot. Return to starting position to complete the rep.
4. Curtsy Lunges
Step 1: Stand with your feet hip-width apart and your hands pressed together at chest level.
Step 2: Keeping your hips square, step your left leg diagonally behind you and bend both knees at a 90-degree angle, keeping the knees behind the toes. Pause, then press into your right heel to return to the standing position as you extend your left leg into a side kick. That’s one rep.
5. Heel-Lifted Sumo Squat
Step 1: Begin with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, toes pointed outward. Lift your left heel.
Step 2: Sit your hips back as you lower your butt toward the floor, keeping your knees behind your toes and bracing your core to help you balance. Pause, then press into your right heel to stand up into the starting position to complete one rep.
6. Bear Plank Leg Lifts
Step 1: Begin in a plank position with your shoulders stacked above your wrists and your body in a straight line between the top of your head and your heels.
Step 2: Lift your right leg and bend the knee 90 degrees, bringing your heel toward your butt. With a flexed foot, squeeze your glutes and raise your right heel toward the ceiling as high as you can. Pause, then bring your right knee back to meet your left knee to complete one rep.
7. Single-Leg Dead Lift
Step 1: Stand on your right foot with your left leg bent in front of you, knee at hip height.
Step 2: Engage your glutes as you slowly fold forward, reaching both hands toward the ground as you extend your left leg straight out behind you. Pause, then return to starting position with control to complete one rep.
8. Sumo Squat to Calf Raise
Step 1: Begin with your feet wider than shoulder-width apart, toes pointed slightly outward.
Step 2: Keeping your knees over your ankles and chest high, bend your knees until your thighs are parallel to the ground. With control, raise one heel as high as you can without compromising your form. Release it to the floor, then repeat on the opposite side to complete one rep. Continue to alternate sides.
9. Squat to Sumo
Step 1: Begin with your feet wider than shoulder-width apart, toes pointing forward. Keeping your knees behind your toes, sit your hips back into a squat.
Step 2: Pulse up a few inches as you turn your toes 45 degrees outward and sink your hips back into a low squat. Pulse up to bring your toes forward, and continue to alternate foot positioning as you pulse.
