Even though your butt can look great in tight jeans or help to build confidence, there are so many more reasons than this! There are three major glute muscles that will be targeted in this short workout, gluteus maximas, gluteus medius and gluteus minimus. These muscles extends the hip (pulls the thigh behind you), does internal and external hip rotation, and abducts the hip (your lateral movement to the side). They are basically highly important! But for people who live a sedentary lifestyle or sit for the most part of the day, these muscles are often weak and under-worked.

By sitting, our glutes “turn off”which can lead to our hip flexors (the muscles that pull the thigh forward) get tight and can lead to injury. So with workouts like this that focuses on squatting with the addition to weights/without weights (strength/endurance), we can alleviate back pain, increase athletic performance, prevent knee pain, and improve posture! Now you know what your glutes do for you, here are four moves you can do for them!

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Romanian Deadlift With Weight

Stand with feet hip-width apart, soft knees, while holding dumbbells in front of hips with palms facing thighs. Keep spine in neutral position and squeezing shoulder blades, start sending the hips back. Lower dumbbells in front of shins, keeping them close to the body. Once they pass the knees, do not allow the hips to sink further. At the bottom of the movement, maintain a neutral spine and drive through heels to fully extend hips and knees, squeezing glutes at the top. *Avoid rounding the back at any point! (I used 25# dumbbells)

Squat Jumps

Stand with feet hip-width apart, toes turned slightly out. Squat down with your weight in your heels, proud chest, and a neutral spine. When you hit the bottom of your squat, squeeze your butt tight and drive hard through your legs and heels as you launch straight up, pelvis forward, pushing off your toes at the last moment of contact with the floor. Land softly, then use the momentum from landing to go right into your next squat.

Alternating Squat Kicks

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, hands behind your head or held together, and elbows out to the sides. Bend your knees and sit back as far as you can. Push back to start, then kick your right leg in front of you, foot flexed. That’s one rep. Repeat, kicking with your left leg, and continue alternating.

Sumo Goblet Squats With Weight

Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, toes turned out slightly. Inhale to sit hips back and lower into a squat, clasping hands in front of chest or clasping weight. Keep core engaged and neutral spine. Pause at the bottom, when hips are in line with knees or when form starts to break. Shins should be vertical and knees should be tracking over but past toes. Exhale to press into heels and outer edge of foot to stand. Squeeze glutes at the top. (I used 25# dumbbells)