7 Bodyweight Glute Exercises for Your Butt and Hips
Learn about the importance of bodyweight glute exercises and discover the moves recommended by physical therapists to strengthen your glutes and hips.
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Your glute muscles — which include the gluteus maximus, medius, and minimus — are the powerhouses of your lower body. Located on and around your buttocks and hips, each plays a uniquely important role in your stability, supporting your lower back, hips, and pelvis. For healthy movement and to prevent and manage pain, incorporating bodyweight glute exercises into your routine can make a big difference.
The best part? You don’t need a gym or fancy equipment to build stronger glutes. These glute exercises at home are simple, effective, and designed to fit into your day wherever you are.
Read on to explore seven exercises for a glute workout with no equipment that you can start today, recommended by our Hinge Health physical therapists.
Interested in getting a personalized exercise therapy plan? Learn more about Hinge Health’s digital physical therapy program and see if you’re eligible.
Reviewed by our clinical and medical experts
Nikki Bond, PT, DPT
Dr. Bond is a Hinge Health pelvic floor physical therapist with a special interest in pelvic health. She is also experienced in working with runners, yogis, and is a pregnancy and postpartum exercise specialist. Read More
Claire Morrow, PT, DPT
Dr. Morrow is a Hinge Health physical therapist, board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist, and fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy. Read More
7 Bodyweight Glute Exercises
1. Lateral Step Up
Want expert care? Check if you're covered for our free program →In this exercise, your glutes play a key role in stabilizing the femoral head within your hip joint. “It activates the gluteus maximus — the large muscle at the back of your buttocks — while also engaging the gluteus medius and minimus as you move your leg away from your body's midline,” explains Nikki Bond, PT, DPT, a physical therapist at Hinge Health.
How to do it:
Stand sideways next to a step. Place the foot closest to the step on top of it, keeping your knee bent. Your other foot should remain on the floor with your knee mostly straight.
Lean your chest slightly forward by hinging at your hips.
Push through the leg on the step, straightening your knee to lift your other foot off the floor.
Slowly lower your foot back to the floor to return to the starting position.
Get more information on how to do a lateral step up.
2. Single Leg RDL (Romanian Deadlift)
Want expert care? Check if you're covered for our free program →This move is a great one if you’re doing a glute workout with no equipment, as it strengthens your glutes, core, and balance. If you’re new to this exercise, you can do a traditional RDL and keep both feet on the ground.
How to do it:
Start by standing with your feet a comfortable distance apart.
Move your chest toward the floor by hinging at your hips.
Lift one leg off the floor behind you and up toward the ceiling. Your knee can be slightly bent as you hinge.
Slowly return to the starting position.
Hip thrusts are great bodyweight glute exercises. They activate your core and glutes simultaneously. For an added challenge, try looping a resistance band around your knees or doing the exercise on one leg.
How to do it:
Sit on the floor with your back leaning against a sturdy couch. Position the bottom of your shoulder blades near the top edge of the couch cushion.
Bend your knees and place your feet flat on the floor, hip-width apart.
Push through your feet to lift your hips off the floor.
Lower your butt down to the floor.
Get more information on how to do a hip thrust.
Split squats target your glutes, hamstrings, quads, and core while also challenging your balance. Dr. Bond advises leaning forward slightly when doing split squats. “This activates your back muscles less and your glute muscles more,” she says.
How to do it:
Take a large step forward with one foot, allowing your back heel to rise off the floor.
Bend both knees and lower your back knee toward the floor. Your front knee should stay positioned over your ankle.
Push through both feet and straighten both legs to return to the starting position.
Get more information on how to do a split squat.
Physical therapy (PT) is for more than just recovering from surgery or injury. It’s one of the top treatments for joint and muscle pain. It helps build strength, improve mobility, and reduce pain. And it doesn't always need to be in person.
Hinge Health members can conveniently access customized plans or chat with their care team at home or on the go — and experience an average 68% reduction in pain* within the first 12 weeks of their program. Learn more*.
Sumo squats are excellent for targeting all three glute muscles while also helping to strengthen the arches of your feet, which play a key role in balance and stability during movement.
How to do it:
Step your feet into a wide stance with your toes pointing out at 45-degree angles.
Push your hips back and lower them into a squat position.
Squeeze your inner thighs together to stand tall.
Get more information on how to do a sumo squat.
“This is a nice exercise for your entire lower body, and it works on balance, too,” says Dr. Bond. While calf raises might seem like just a lower-leg exercise, they engage your glutes as well by rotating your legs slightly at your hips.
How to do it:
Stand with your feet hip-width apart with one hand on a table for balance.
Push through the balls of your feet to raise your heels off the floor. Focus on squeezing your calf muscles as you hold this position.
Relax your heels back to the floor.
Get more information on how to do a calf raise.
The bridge is one of the simplest yet most effective glute exercises at home. It strengthens your glutes while stretching your hip flexors. And because you use both legs to bear weight, it’s a great place to start if you’re new to exercise or struggling with pelvic or hip mobility.
How to do it:
On a yoga mat, lie comfortably on your back.
With your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor, push through your feet to raise your hips off the floor.
Relax your hips back to the floor.
Get more information on how to do a bridge.
The information contained in these videos is intended to be used for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or treatment for any specific condition. Hinge Health is not your healthcare provider and is not responsible for any injury sustained or exacerbated by your use of or participation in these exercises. Please consult with your healthcare provider with any questions you may have about your medical condition or treatment.
Benefits of Bodyweight Glute Exercises
Bodyweight glute exercises offer a variety of benefits for both musculoskeletal health and overall physical performance.
Improved glute strength, stability, and function. These exercises strengthen the gluteus maximus, medius, and minimus, which are essential for stability, posture, and movement. “Strong and balanced glutes effectively stabilize your pelvis and hips, reducing imbalances and helping to prevent or decrease pain in your lower back, hips, and knees,” says Dr. Bond.
Reduced risk of injury. Activating the right muscles during these exercises helps prevent overcompensation by others, which reduces your risk of strain or discomfort. “We want to create balance in the system so other muscles don’t have to compensate or strain when your glutes are weak,” says Dr. Bond.
No equipment needed. Bodyweight glute exercises can easily be done at home or on the road. They are convenient and accessible, requiring no equipment or gym access.
Increased athletic performance. Strong glutes enhance power, speed, and agility, improving performance in activities like running, jumping, or cycling.
How Hinge Health Can Help You
If you have joint or muscle pain that makes it hard to move, you can get the relief you’ve been looking for with Hinge Health’s online exercise therapy program.
The best part: You don’t have to leave your home because our program is digital. That means you can easily get the care you need through our app, when and where it works for you.
Through our program, you’ll have access to therapeutic exercises and stretches for your condition. Additionally, you’ll have a personal care team to guide, support, and tailor our program to you.
See if you qualify for Hinge Health and confirm free coverage through your employer or benefit plan here.
This article and its contents are provided for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or professional services specific to you or your medical condition.
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References
Boren, K., Conrey, C., Le Coguic, J., Paprocki, L., Voight, M., & Robinson, T. K. (2011). Electromyographic analysis of gluteus medius and gluteus maximus during rehabilitation exercises. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 6(3), 206–223.
Gluteus Maximus. (n.d.). Physiopedia. Retrieved from https://www.physio-pedia.com/Gluteus_Maximus
Gluteus Medius. (n.d.). Physiopedia. Retrieved from https://www.physio-pedia.com/Gluteus_Medius
Neto, W. K., Vieira, T. L., & Gama, E. F. (2019). Barbell Hip Thrust, Muscular Activation and Performance: A Systematic Review. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 18(2), 198–206.
Neto, W. K., Soares, E. G., Vieira, T. L., Aguiar, R., Chola, T. A., Sampaio, V. de L., & Gama, E. F. (2020). Gluteus Maximus Activation during Common Strength and Hypertrophy Exercises: A Systematic Review. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 19(1), 195–203.