Everyone knows that basic squats can make your booty B-U-R-N. The problem: No matter how many reps you crank out, this move will only work your glutes from one angle. To achieve the best possible results in the least amount of time, you’re better off mixing things up. For instance, there are countless squat variations and alternatives that, when performed together, could put the basic squat out of business. (You’re welcome.)
If you’re ready to, ahem, round out your glute routine, try these butt moves designed by Chelsea Dornan, a NYC-based personal trainer, and modeled by Brittany Perille Yobe, a certified personal trainer who’s racked up an Instagram following of more than 1 million people, thanks to the butt-centric workouts she posts.
To work toward a butt like Brittany’s, repeat each exercise below for 45 seconds to one minute on each side in the order listed, and repeat the entire set up to three times to seriously feel the burn.
The Moves:
1. Single-Leg Glute Bridge
How to do it: Lie on your back with your knees bent and soles of your feet on the floor. Extend one leg. On your exhale, squeeze your glutes, and push your hips up 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
How to do it: Begin on all fours with your knees hips-width apart and your wrists stacked over your shoulders. Keeping the knee bent to a 90-degree angle, lift the right leg out to hip-height, then extend the raised leg straight out to the side. Pause before you bend the knee again and bring your leg back to starting position to complete one rep.
3. Rainbows
How to do it: Begin on all fours with your knees hips-width apart and your wrists stacked over your shoulders. 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 the leg back to starting position, then lower the 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
How to do it: Stand with your feet hips-width apart and your hands pressed together at chest level. 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 standing position as you extend your left leg into a side kick. That’s one rep.
5. Heel-Lifted Sumo Squat
How to do it: Begin with your feet slightly wider than shoulders-width apart, toes pointed outward. Lift your left heel. With control, 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
How to do it: 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. 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 up 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
How to do it: Stand on your right foot with your left leg bent in front of you, knee at hip-height. Engage your glutes as you slowly fold forward, reaching both hands toward the ground as you extend the left leg straight out behind you. Pause, then return to starting position with control to complete one rep.
8. Sumo Squat to Calf Raise
How to do it: Begin with your feet wider than shoulder-width apart, toes pointed slightly outward. Keeping your knees above 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
How to do it: Begin with your feet wider than shoulders-width apart, toes pointing forward. Keeping your knees behind your toes, sit your hips back into a squat. Pulse up a few inches as your turn your toes 45 degrees outward and sink your hips back into your low squat. Pulse up to bring your toes forward and continue to alternate foot positioning as you pulse.