Your lower back has been aching for weeks now, but no matter how much you massage or stretch those muscles along your spine, the pain won’t go away. This might be because the problem isn’t actually your back at all: While there are a number of things that can cause back pain, one that’s easy to overlook is tight hamstrings.
certified movement and mobility specialist, yoga teacher, CrossFit coach, and the fitness director at Mountain Trek Health Reset Retreat in British Columbia
Yes, your legs could be the guilty party. To find out how to tell if this is the case, and how to stretch hamstrings effectively if it is, we spoke with Katya Campbell, a certified movement and mobility specialist, yoga teacher, CrossFit coach, and the fitness director at Mountain Trek Health Reset Retreat in British Columbia.
How do you know if your hamstrings are tight enough to cause back pain?
Low back pain can crop up when your hamstrings are so tight that they pull your pelvis out of alignment, which can strain the deep back muscles. But before blaming your hammies outright, it’s helpful to determine if they’re tight enough to be the culprit. There are a few basic tests you can do to test your range of motion, says Campbell.
The simplest is probably the passive forward fold. To do this, stand upright with your feet together (preferably with no shoes on) then hinge from your hips and reach down to touch your toes or as close to your toes as possible.
If you are within two inches from reaching the floor, Campbell says that you have “moderate flexibility,” but anything higher up could indicate excessive tightness in your hamstrings.
However, this assessment has some limitations. Namely, if you have long arms, it will naturally make it easier to reach the ground (and those with shorter arms will have a harder time). Also, Campbell points out that this doesn’t test each leg individually. That’s why she also recommends the active straight leg raise test.
To do this one, lie on the floor with both legs straight out on the ground. Keep one leg flat on the floor and raise the opposite leg into the air, keeping both knees as straight as possible. As you lift your leg, look at how far the heel is coming up towards the ceiling. Campbell says that ideally, your heel should be able to come in line with or beyond the opposite knee. “This is a great indicator of hamstring flexibility, and we can see if one leg has greater limitations than the other, which is fairly common,” she says.
What causes very tight hamstrings?
Sometimes, chronically tight hamstrings are simply something you’re born with. “Genetics do play a role in hamstring length and we can’t argue our way out of that one, but there are other factors as well,” suggests Campbell. “Prolonged sitting, insufficient stretching after exercise, injury, and limited movement can all contribute to shortened hamstrings.”
Campbell points out that there is a difference between short, stiff, and tight muscles, even though we tend to colloquially describe all of these as feeling “tight.” The nuanced distinctions between each of these situations can affect what’s going on in your body to create this sensation.
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If your hamstrings are short
“Short muscles (the least common) are often due to an injury that has caused a significant lack of movement at end range for a prolonged period of time,” says Campbell. “For example, a person is in a cast or a brace. This has caused the muscle to progressively adapt to this new shortened position.”
If your hamstrings are stiff
Campbell says that a stiff muscle results from lack of movement, often from sitting in a car or at a desk, or from overuse due to hard workouts with eccentric exercises or repetitive movements.
If your hamstrings are tight
“A tight muscle can often feel more like bone than muscle. They are those thick, ropey muscles that you can stretch repeatedly but are continually tight,” describes Campbell. “These often accompany an injury or a poor recruitment pattern where the body has essentially overused the muscle (causing it to be more hypertonic and thus ropey and bony feeling) rather than using a more functional movement pattern.”
What are the risks of not stretching your hamstrings?
Ultimately, whether your hamstrings are stiff, short, or tight, Campbell says that one of the biggest concerns is potential injury. After all, we have ideal ranges of motion for the hamstrings, which we have evolved over time for safe movements. When something compromises this range of motion, injuries can occur.
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“If our muscles lack those abilities, it can take something small, like tripping over our kids’ Lego, to potentially tear a muscle due to its inability to extend and contract,” warns Campbell.
But it doesn’t necessarily take a Lego incident to cause problems. Overly tight hamstrings “can also add undue strain on other parts of our body that need to compensate for this lack of movement,” she says. “A perfect example of this is lower back pain, which is often seen as a result of tight hamstrings.”
How to stretch hamstrings effectively
The key to releasing tight hamstrings is to incorporate a variety of stretching exercises into your regular routine, says Campbell. Even a dedicated 10-minute stretch session can make a major difference if you choose the right mix of moves and know how to stretch hamstrings the right way.
“I like to blend active (dynamic) and passive stretching, so that the muscle has the ability to be in a lengthened position in all scenarios,” says Campbell. “Often, we might have moderate passive flexibility (such as the standing forward fold), but when we make it more active, we see greater limitations.”
Campbell shares a few of the best hamstring stretches:
Reclined single-leg hamstring stretch
1.
Lie on your back with a strap or belt beside you.
2.
Bend both knees and plant your feet on the floor hip-width apart.
3.
Extend one leg up above the hip and hook the strap/belt over your midfoot. Try to maintain a neutral spine.
4.
Gently straighten the leg.
5.
On an exhale, slowly straighten the opposite leg onto the floor. If this is too much, keep it bent.
6.
Breath deeply and maintain this for five deep breaths.
7.
Repeat on the other side.
Swinging leg touches
1.
Stand upright with one hand on a chair for balance, if needed.
2.
Shift your weight onto one leg and allow the opposite leg to swing as if it’s a pendulum, back and forth from in front of you, to behind you. Make sure to keep your chest tall as you do this.
3.
As the leg loosens up, slowly increase the range of motion of your swing.
4.
If possible and you have the balance, as you swing the leg out in front, take the hand on the opposite side and reach it to touch towards your toes of the leg that’s swinging as it comes up in front of your body. Avoid rounding your back to make the touch.
5.
Keep swinging and kicking to the hand 10 times, then switch sides.
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Box hang
1.
Step up onto a stable box or stair.
2.
Place your toes at the front edge with your feet hip-width apart.
3.
Hinge at your hips (not rounding your back) and allow your body to hang so that your arms drape down to the toes. If you are flexible or want to challenge your flexibility more, hold light dumbbells in your hands to deepen the stretch.
4.
Hold for 20 to 30 seconds.
5.
Engage your core and glutes to slowly stand back up.
Counteracting tight hamstrings isn’t just about doing leg stretches, however. When your hamstrings are chronically tight, other muscles—like those deep back muscles—can tighten up as well.
“Often, the lower back becomes tight, as the hamstrings pull the pelvis back,” explains Campbell. “Working on lengthening the erectors (the long muscles alongside the spinal column) can be really helpful, as can foam rolling this area.”
Here’s how to stretch hamstrings for back pain and hit those spinal muscles in the process with this seated hamstring stretch:
Seated supported forward folds
1.
Sit on a folded blanket or firm pillow with the legs stretched out in front.
2.
Place a firm pillow under the knees.
3.
Hinge from the hips, thinking of rolling forward onto the edge of the sitting bones as you reach the hands along the legs towards the feet.
4.
Hold for one minute, breathing deeply. Then release.
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Looking for more leg stretches? Try this lower body mobility routine:
Is there anything you can do besides stretching to help loosen up tight hamstrings?
Stretching isn’t the end-all-be-all when it comes to loosening up tight hamstrings. You might wonder, Will massage loosen hamstrings? Certainly. “Massage is a wonderful way to increase blood flow, soften connective tissue, and restore healthy range of motion,” says Campbell, who particularly recommends Thai massage for this purpose.
Self-myofascial release methods like foam rolling and ball rolling can also be highly effective, she adds. Campbell says she loves an exercise she calls the “hammy smash roll” with a lacrosse ball or similar small, firm ball:
1.
Sit on a firm surface with legs overhanging, like a chair.
2.
Place the ball behind one thigh, nestled into the tissue of the hamstrings.
3.
Rest the weight of the leg onto the ball if you can handle it.
4.
Slowly extend the leg out, mashing the ball into the tissue as you elongate the muscle along that pressure point.
5.
Do that several times, and keep relocating the ball to different areas to find out where the gnarly spots are. Make sure to breathe throughout the entire process to help relax your tissues.
6.
Switch legs.
How long does it take to loosen tight hamstrings?
Ultimately, the cause of your tight hamstrings will affect how much time it takes to resolve the issue.
“If it is due to injury, the key is slow and steady, and it can take several months to restore full range of motion,” says Campbell. “If the tissue is stiff due to exercise (post-workout soreness and tension), usually a day or two and getting blood flow will loosen things up. If the muscles are tight and rigid, it can be something that will require regular maintenance to keep things agile.”
So, be patient. With consistent practice, you can work your way to feeling limber and agile—and pain-free—again.
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When it comes to building strong, sculpted glutes, most of us focus on big moves like squats and deadlifts. But if you want to truly level up your lower-body strength (and get that lifted, rounded shape), it’s time to give your upper glutes some serious attention.
exercise physiologist and part-time teaching faculty at the University of Georgia
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“This area is often ignored,” says Holly Roser, CPT, a certified personal trainer and owner of Holly Roser Fitness. And that really is a shame. The upper glutes—specifically, the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus—are the secret weapons behind hip stability, posture, and lower-back support.
Strengthening them doesn’t just help with aesthetics; it also boosts athletic performance, prevents injury, and improves overall mobility. Whether you’re an avid lifter, a runner, or just looking to move pain-free, targeting this area can make all the difference. (NOt to mention that ignoring it could lead to a glute imbalance.)
So how do you engage these often-overlooked muscles? It’s all about strategic activation and mind-muscle connection. We asked top trainers for the most effective upper-glute exercises that actually work, from banded hip abductions to single-leg deadlifts. Ready to fire up those glutes and feel the difference?
Keep reading for a science-backed upper butt workout that will leave you stronger, more balanced, and yes—perkier.
First things first: A refresher on upper glute anatomy
When exploring any glute-focused exercises and charting out glute goals, it helps to understand our glute anatomy.
Your glutes are comprised of the gluteus maximus, the gluteus medius, the gluteus minimus, and the piriformis, according to ACE certified health coach and personal trainer Araceli De Leon, MS.
Where your gluteus maximus is the largest and most superficial of the glute muscles (meaning that it’s the outermost layer), your gluteus minimus is the deepest glute muscle, located underneath the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius, De Leon says.
Meanwhile, the gluteus medius is what we know to be the upper glutes.
“The gluteus medius is responsible for abduction or lateral raise and rotation of the hip joint,” De Leon says. “However, the gluteus maximus is so large relative to the others that it is also part of the upper glutes.”
From an appearance perspective, certified personal trainer Amy Schemper, CPT adds that the gluteus medius is “responsible for the ‘glute shelf’ look” that many desire.
What are the benefits of upper glute exercises?
When you do upper glute exercises, whether they’re standing or seated, Roser says you’ll experience numerous benefits—not just in the way you feel, but also when it comes to your athletic abilities.
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“You’ll reduce lower back pain, knee pain, and the risk of ankle sprains, as this important muscle is a strong stabilizer,” she says. “You’ll also notice you’ll have a faster running speed and be able to increase the resistance used in your workouts.”
The reason? Stronger upper glutes lead to more overall bodily stability.
“Besides keeping our hips level and stable, our upper glutes have a very important job in our overall biomechanics, stability, and balance,” says Nashville-based certified personal trainer Bianca Vesco, CPT. “When we walk and or run, our upper glutes aid in stabilizing our pelvis. They also play a critical role in maintaining an efficient and safe lower body.”
There’s also another benefit: You’ll notice a more lifted and pronounced booty, Roser says. So if you’ve ever wondered why your bum is flat at the top, it’s because you need to incorporate upper glute exercises into your routine.
The ideal reps and sets to build your upper glutes
Before diving in, take a moment to consider your upper glute goals. Do you want to strengthen, stabilize, or maintain or build a shelf? You’ll want to tailor your routine to fit your fitness dreams, according to Vesco.
“Are you trying to build muscle mass and strength by lifting heavy weights?” she asks. “Are you correcting an imbalance or rehabbing an injury with a resistance band?” In either scenario, you can expect upper glute benefits. The way you go about them just differs.
Here’s what we mean: The number of reps and sets you perform is dependent on your glute goals, as is the amount of time you take to rest between each.
“If you are aiming for muscle hypertrophy and added mass, aim for heavier weights for lower rep ranges—four to eight repetitions—for three to five sets during your larger compound movements such as squats, lunges, deadlifts, and hip thrusts,” Schemper says. “If muscular endurance is your goal, find a weight you can maintain for 12 to 20 repetitions for three to four sets for larger movements and an elastic mini band around knees or ankles for 15 to 20 repetitions on smaller movements.”
Meanwhile, if you’re exploring upper glute exercises to correct a muscle imbalance or rehab an injury, Schemper says to start slowly with low weights, resistance, and reps, and gradually increase as you feel stronger.
No matter which approach you take, you want to feel challenged.
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“At the end of the day, you want to be progressively overloading the glute muscles to see change,” Schemper says. “If something feels too easy, it’s probably time to increase your weights, resistance, reps, or sets—or all of the above. If you’re fatiguing quickly or not able to finish sets or reps, it’s time to take it down a bit.”
“Besides keeping our hips level and stable, our upper glutes have a very important job in our overall biomechanics, stability, and balance. When we walk and or run, our upper glutes aid in stabilizing our pelvis. They also play a critical role in maintaining an efficient and safe lower body.” —Bianca Vesco, CPT
The best upper glute exercises to add to your routine
So, how do you work the top of your glutes? According to Schemper, the key to building upper glutes is to focus on hip abduction (moving away from the center of the body).
“However, remember no muscle works in isolation, so while smaller isolated movements help target the upper glutes, it’s important to work the lower body with larger compound moves like squats, deadlifts, and lunges,” she reminds us.
Although you can work your glutes by walking, running, and other everyday functional movements, there are some exercises that can really boost booty gains. Here are nine upper glute exercises that are sure to make your buns burn.
1. Clam shell
1.
Lie on your left side with your knees bent at 90 degrees, stacked on top of each other.
2.
Lean your head on your left arm to support your neck and place your right hand in front of you for support.
3.
Keep your feet together and lift your top knee as high as possible without rotating your pelvis.
4.
Hold for a moment, then lower your knee back to the starting position.
5.
4. Do 2 sets of 25 reps, then switch sides.
2. Curtsy lunge
1.
Stand with your feet hip-width apart and your arms clasped in front of your chest.
2.
Step back with your right leg, crossing it behind your left leg in a curtsy position.
3.
Bend both knees until your front leg is parallel to the floor (or as close to parallel as you can comfortably go).
4.
Keep your hips and shoulders straight ahead throughout the motion with your torso upright.
5.
Push through your left leg to return to standing.
6.
Repeat for 3 sets of 15 reps on each side.
3. Sumo squat
1.
Stand with your feet wider than your shoulders with your shoulders, back, and core engaged. Turn your toes out 45 degrees and clasp your hands in front of your chest.
2.
Bend your knees as you push your hips back to lower toward the floor. Let your knees track diagonally out toward the direction of your toes as you lower.
3.
Lower down until your thighs are parallel with the floor (or as far as you can comfortably go).
4.
Pause for a moment, then return back to standing.
5.
Do 3 sets of 12 to 15 reps.
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4. Lateral lunge
Stand with your feet at hip-width distance, toes facing forward. Clasp your hands in front of your chest.
Shift your weight to the right and step to your right with your right foot.
With a flat back, bend your right knee and shift your hips back, keeping your left leg straight.
Keep your toes pointed forward on both feet.
Press into your right heel to return to standing.
Do 12 to 15 reps, then repeat on the right side—or go back and forth between sides.
5. Banded lateral walk
1.
Place a mini band or looped resistance band around your thighs at a tension that’s comfortably challenging.
2.
Stand with your feet hip-width apart and your hands clasped in front of your chest.
3.
Bend your knees as you push your hips back to lower toward the floor into a squat position as if you were sitting in a chair.
4.
Step your right foot to the side in line with your other foot. Step together and repeat.
5.
Do 3 sets of 15 reps in each direction.
6. Dumbbell front squat
1.
Stand with your feet hip-width apart (or a little wider) with your shoulders, back, and core engaged. Hold a dumbbell in each hand (palms facing in toward your body) with your arms at your sides.
2.
Bend your elbows to lift the dumbbells up high on your shoulders in a racked position with your elbows slightly in front of your shoulders.
3.
Bend your knees as you push your hips back to lower toward the floor into a squat position as if you were sitting in a chair.
4.
Lower down until your thighs are parallel with the floor (or as far as you can comfortably go).
5.
Pause for a moment, then return back to standing.
6.
Do 3 sets of 12 to 15 reps.
7. Sumo deadlift
1.
Stand with your feet wider than your shoulders with your shoulders, back, and core engaged. Turn your toes out 45 degrees.
2.
Place a dumbbell on the floor vertically between your legs.
3.
With a flat back and braced core, hinge at your hips and bend your knees to grasp the head of the dumbbell.
4.
Drive your feet into the ground and straighten your legs to slowly come up to standing, activating your glutes in the process. Keep your arms straight the entire time.
5.
Slowly lower yourself back down.
6.
Do 3 sets of 15 reps.
8. Single-leg Romanian deadlift
1.
Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Tuck your right elbow into your right side as if you were running. Extend your left arm by your side.
2.
Drive your left knee up to hip height so your left thigh is parallel to the floor. You should be balancing on your right leg.
3.
Engage your core and simultaneously lean forward, extending your left leg behind you. Press your right foot into the floor while doing so, and keep your right leg slightly bent.
4.
At the same time, lower your right arm down by your side and tuck your left elbow into your left side as if you were running.
5.
Continue lowering until your torso is parallel to the floor or you feel a pull in your right hamstrings (whichever comes first).
6.
Press into your right foot, squeeze your glutes and reverse the movement to return back to the standing start position.
7.
Do 10-12 reps on one leg before switching sides.
9. Side hip abduction
1.
Lie on your left side with your legs extended and your feet stacked on top of each other.
2.
Lean your head on your left arm to support your neck and place your right hand in front of you for support.
3.
Keeping your legs straight and squeezing your glutes, lift your top leg to around shoulder height without rotating your hips.
4.
Pause, then slowly lower your top leg back down to starting position.
5.
Do 2 sets of 25 reps on each leg.
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TIP
If you’re having a hard time keeping your legs from coming forward, you can lean against a wall and have your top leg slide to correct any slanting of your body that might occur.
10. Banded standing hip abduction
1.
Stand with a resistance band around your ankles, feet hip-width apart, knees straight but not locked.
2.
Keeping your legs straight and squeezing your glutes, shift weight to one leg and lift the other leg out to the side without rotating your hips.
3.
Pause, then slowly lower back down to starting position.
4.
Do 12-15 reps per leg.
11. Fire hydrants
1.
Start on all fours with your hands and knees on the floor. Align your elbows and shoulders over your wrists and your hips over your knees
2.
Lift one knee out to the side, keeping it bent at 90 degrees.
3.
Avoid rotating your hips—keep the movement controlled.
4.
Lower back down and repeat.
5.
Do 2 sets of 20 reps on each leg.
12. Bulgarian split squat
1.
Stand a few feet in front of a bench, box or chair, facing away from it. Clasp your hands in front of your chest. (Increase the challenge by placing a barbell or dumbbell on your hips.)
2.
Reach your left foot back and place the top of your left foot flat on the surface. You may need to hop your right foot forward so you can do a proper lunge.
3.
Lean your torso forward slightly and bend your front knee to sink your hips toward the floor as low as you can comfortably go.
4.
Your front-leg shin should be vertical or close to it, while your back knee should point down toward the floor. If either leg is out of place, move your front foot forward or backward until you’ve found the ideal positioning.
5.
Push through your front foot to return to standing.
6.
Repeat for 10-12 reps, then switch sides and repeat.
13. Step-up
1.
You’ll need a bench or box to complete this exercise.
2.
Stand in front of your bench and place your left foot on the bench, so that your left knee is bent round 90 degrees.
3.
Keeping your torso upright, press your weight into your left foot and push through your quads and glutes to straighten your left leg and stand on top of the bench.
4.
Reverse the move, lowering your right foot to the floor with control.
5.
Do 10-15 reps, then switch sides and repeat.
14. Single-leg glutes bridge
1.
Lie on your back with your arms by your sides, knees bent and feet flat on the floor hip-width apart. Your feet should be close enough to your hips that if you reach one hand at a time toward each heel, you could just touch it with your fingers.
2.
Extend your right leg straight on the floor.
3.
Tuck your tailbone slightly. Squeeze your glutes and core, then press your left heel into the floor to drive your hips up toward the ceiling until you form a diagonal line from knees to hips to chest.
4.
Squeeze your glutes at the top of the exercise and pause for a moment. Then slowly return your hips to the floor.
5.
Do 10-12 then switch legs and repeat.
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15. Hip thrust
1.
Sit on the floor with your mid back against the edge of a bench, box, couch, or wide chair. Clasp your hands in front of your chest. (Increase the challenge by placing a barbell or dumbbell on your hips.)
2.
Place your feet on the floor about hip-width apart. Your feet can be slightly turned out, depending on what feels most comfortable for you.
3.
Squeeze your glutes and push through your heels to raise your hips up toward the ceiling. Keep your back flat and head pointed toward the wall in front of you.
4.
Lock your hips out at the top of the movement by fully extending your hips and squeezing your glutes. Your shins should be vertical, knees neutral or slightly externally rotated and legs forming 90-degree angles.
5.
Pause, then slowly lower your hips to the floor.
6.
Do 2 sets of 12-15 reps.
16. Single-leg hip thrust
1.
Sit on the floor with your mid back against the edge of a bench, box, couch, or wide chair. Clasp your hands in front of your chest.
2.
Lift your right leg off the ground, and push through the heel of your left foot while you push your hips up to the ceiling by squeezing your glutes.
3.
Pause, then slowly your hips back towards the floor.
4.
Do 2 sets of 25 reps per side.
What not to do: Habits that could weaken your glutes
If you regularly do many of these exercises but don’t seem to be noticing any change in the look or feel of your upper glutes, you may be engaging in other behaviors that’s voiding out your hard work.
“You may not be lifting heavy enough, eating enough for your energy expenditure, or you may need more variety in your glute workouts,” Schemper says. “The key to engaging your glute muscles for growth and strength is to make sure you’re actually utilizing the right muscles. In traditional movements like squats or lunges, our quadriceps muscles are our primary movers and tend to do most of the work. To turn on the glute muscles, be sure to get low into the movement and push through the heels as you contract.”
It’s important to also be mindful of your pelvis during all upper glute exercises, Schemper says.
“Many of us experience an anterior pelvic tilt (where our pelvis is tilted forward) which can affect our ability to activate our glute muscles during exercise,” she reveals. “Banded glute bridges and deep core exercises can help correct anterior pelvic tilt, as evidenced by this study1. With a stronger core and more neutral pelvic alignment, our glutes can better engage in lower-body movements.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I give my upper butt a natural curve?
Be consistent—and patient. “If you’re looking to build a stronger, more muscular butt, it’s going to take some time,” Vesco says. “You have to lift heavy with a plan, you have to eat more to fuel those lifts, you have to stay consistent in the gym, and you have to show yourself grace. Rome wasn’t built overnight and neither is a bigger booty!”
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How do I know if my upper glute workout is working?
Remember: Upper glute gains take time. You may feel like your hard work isn’t accounting for much, but Vesco reminds us that there are studies that suggest optimal glute growth can take between 18 months and two years to really witness.
“The work is never over and consistency always gives you the possibility to expedite that process,” she says. “However, training for life is a lifelong journey and taking care of your glutes and overall leg strength is a surefire way to make sure you’re still strong and able-bodied at 80 years old. Strong glutes, strong legs, strong life.”
Can you work out your glutes two days in a row?
TL;DR: It depends on your skill level and overall fitness.
“There are many aspects to consider when discussing exercise recovery, including training or exercise volume and frequency, adequate sleep, proper nutrition, training periodization, rest days, and more,” Rachelle Reed, PhD, an exercise physiologist, explains. “Recovery is an important part of a training program and aims to restore the body to homeostasis [a balanced state] and occurs during the time outside of an exercise training session.”
With that in mind, if you’re new to resistance training—and especially if you’re performing large muscle, multi-joint exercises like squats, lunges, deadlifts, and hip thrusts—a 24- to 48-hour rest period is ideal.
“Basically, monitor your perceived soreness levels,” Dr. Reed says. “DOMS—delayed onset muscle soreness—can start and last anywhere from 24 to 72 hours or more depending on a variety of factors. So, your best bet is to start slow and monitor how you feel. After a few sessions, you will understand how your body is reacting.”
Once you become more experienced with upper glute workouts, it’s totally fine to train back-to-back, according to Dr. Reed—though, she still recommends switching it up for the most noticeable gains.
“The most effective programs will mix different movement patterns, loading, and other techniques to progress efficiently and safely,” she says. “The main point to note while going for booty gain will be you are aiming for hypertrophy [increasing muscle size/volume] and adequate, but appropriate for your fitness level, loading will be highly important.”
How many times a week should I work out to grow a butt?
There’s no one set answer.
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“How often you should perform these exercises depends on how heavy you’re lifting for them,” Vesco says. “Heavy lifts for muscle growth and strength should only be done one to two times per week.”
Can you change the shape of your glutes through exercise?
Yes, but it will take time.
“Anyone can change the shape of their butt, but it depends on how drastic you want that change to be,” Vesco says. “We all have our own goals and standards but if your goal is to grow a bigger booty, you need to focus on the entire backside, not just the upper glutes. Building strength in the gluteus maximus, medius, and minimus will get you there much faster.”
Additionally, it’s important not to overwork your glutes in hopes of faster results.
“You definitely need to stimulate the muscles to help them grow, but training them too much can be counterproductive if you don’t give them time to rest, repair, and rebuild,” Vesco says.
What are the most useless exercises for building your glutes?
“Bicep curls!” Vesco jokes. “‘Building’ can mean a lot of things for a lot of people but if you want to actually increase the size of your backside, you have to lift heavy weights consistently.”
Why are my upper glutes not growing?
As hard as you may be working to grow your booty, you may simply be focusing on the wrong areas and glute exercises.
“If you aren’t seeing glute growth, you may be training mostly in the sagittal plane—think squats and lunges—train in the horizontal plane with banded side steps and side lunges, as well as the transverse plane with curtsy lunges, for better glute gains,” Schemper says.
It’s also possible to plateau while working out. In fact, it’s common. Your body can adapt to movements, weights, and workouts, according to De Leon. So if you’re doing all of these exercises but aren’t reaping any new rewards, she says it’s time to mix it up with more weight, reps, or new exercises altogether.
“Another example, if you’re using bands, try using cable machines; or if you’re using machines, try free weights such as barbells, dumbbells or kettlebells,” she says.
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