Molly Wichman, Life Transformations Personal Trainer in Lee’s Summit, MO, shares some glutes training tips. Try it out these Trainer Tips for Glutes Training next time you are in the gym. Great for bikini season!
Do you like your rear view? As we approach competition season and bikini season, every gal wants
If you have a weak backside, you may want to allow a day for just glutes strength training. Here are some good glutes building moves to incorporate into your workout routine.
Squats- We have all heard “Squat for that booty.” Yes, squats build muscle to the glutes, but they are not the only exercise out there. Free bar, Smith machine, Pivot Squats, dumbbell squats and even body weight squats can train the glutes if done properly. If you stand up from your computer and do a bodyweight squat focusing on pushing through your heels on the way up, you will feel your glutes muscles activating and being worked. This is the feeling you need when doing any variation of squats, pushing through the glutes. Now, squats are also great for all over thigh development; but, if the focus is glutes…push with the glutes.
Abductor- The abductor or outer thigh machine is great for training the hips and glutes. Depending on the angle of the machine at your gym, you may need to lean forward to a 45 degree angle to really push the movement back into the glutes area.
Glutes Bridge- You may want to do this movement in the corner of your gym to feel more comfortable. Lying on the ground with your feet on the floor directly under your knees, lift your hips up, then slowly lower to the ground. If you squeeze through your glutes you should feel this. To add resistance hold a dumbbell or weight plate on your pelvis as you lift your hips.
Leg Lifts- The best place to start leg lifts is on a bench. Lie face down with your hips off the bench (move a little forward if too much pressure is on your back) and your legs resting on the ground. Grip your hands on the front of the bench to balance yourself. Lift your legs so you do a “superman move” by pulling with your glutes muscles, and then come down slow and repeat without letting your legs touch the ground. If this gets easy, try adding weight by adding ankle weights on your legs or a resistance band around your ankles. Want to change the angle, try this move on the incline bench for a deeper stretch. Another option is to put a BOSU ball on the bench so your bellybutton it on the center of the rounded BOSU.
Leg Press- The leg press or single leg press is another exercise that is great for overall thigh development. For your glutes focused workout, but your feet at the top of the foot pad. This will allow you to push through your glutes and hamstring muscles.
Plié Squats- Similar to the squat, but with a wide stance with toes pointing out. Try a squat. Then hold a weight plate or dumbbell to add resistance. If you are flexible, try standing with each of your feet on a weight bench (still in a wide stance). The added height will allow you to get a deeper squat and really push through your glutes and inner thigh muscles.
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