The Best Glutes Exercises

Top Exercises

Static Lunge Kick

Beginner / Bodyweight-only / Glutes / lunge

Combines lower-body strength with explosive power and balance. It targets the quads and glutes while challenging the core.

Sumo Squat

Beginner / Bodyweight-only / Glutes / squat

A wide-stance squat variation. It shifts the emphasis to the adductors and glutes while improving hip mobility.

Side Hip

Beginner / Captain's Chair / Glutes / isolation

A lateral movement focusing on the hip abductors and obliques. It improves hip mobility and strengthens the lateral stabilizers of the lower body.

Resistance Band Bent Leg Side Kick

Beginner / Mini Loop Bands / Glutes / isolation

A targeted glute medius exercise using a resistance band. It improves lateral hip stability and helps sculpt the outer glutes.

Lever Hip Thrust

Intermediate / Leverage Machine / Glutes / hinge

A machine-based hip thrust for maximum glute development. It provides a safer and more stable environment for heavy hip extension.

Reverse Plank with Leg Lift

Intermediate / Bodyweight-only / Glutes / core

A powerful posterior chain exercise targeting the glutes, hamstrings, and lower back while the leg lift challenges the core stabilizers.

Lever Standing Hip Extension

Intermediate / Leverage Machine / Glutes / isolation

An isolation exercise for the gluteus maximus and hamstrings. The standing position allows for a full range of hip extension against resistance.

Lever Standing Rear Kick

Beginner / Leverage Machine / Glutes / isolation

A powerful movement for the posterior chain, specifically targeting the glutes. It mimics a kickback motion with added machine stability.

Butt Bridge

Beginner / Bodyweight-only / Glutes / hinge

A glute-focused isolation move. Similar to the standard bridge, it emphasizes maximal glute contraction and pelvic stability.

Smith Sumo Squat

Beginner / Smith Machine / Glutes / squat

A squat variation with a wide stance that emphasizes the adductors (inner thighs) and glutes. The fixed bar path helps maintain balance in this wide position.

Sled Wide Hack Squat

Beginner / Sled Machine / Glutes / squat

A wide-stance hack squat that shifts focus toward the adductors and gluteus maximus. The stable sled allows for a safe, controlled wide-stance movement.