WORK OUT FOR THIGH BUTT

The Best Workout for a Toned, Tight Butt

Exercise 1 Prone Leg Raise

Lie facedown on the floor with your head supported by crossed arms, legs shoulder-width apart, core engaged (a). Contract your glutes to lift your legs about 12 to 16 inches off the ground and bring them together to touch (b). Pause, then slowly lower back to start. That's one rep.

3

Exercise 2 Glute Bridge

Lie on your back with your knees bent, feet on the floor 12 to 16 inches from your butt (a). Brace your core, then press into your heels and squeeze your glutes to raise your hips toward the ceiling (b). Hold the position for two seconds before lowering to start. That's one rep.

3

Exercise 3 Straight-Leg Hip Extension

Face a low cable machine and attach the ankle strap to your left ankle, holding the machine lightly for support. (If you don't have access to a cable machine, use a light resistance band.) Shift your weight onto your right leg, keeping both knees soft (a). Squeeze the glutes and extend your left leg straight behind you, keeping your toes slightly flexed (b). Hold this position for two seconds. Return to start. That's one rep. Complete all reps before switching sides.

3

Exercise 4 Plie Squat

Stand with feet more than shoulder-width apart, toes turned outward 45 degrees. Hold a barbell across your shoulders and stand tall (a). Bend your knees to lower your body until your thighs are parallel to the floor, keeping your chest upright and core tight (b). Press through your heels and straighten your legs to stand. That's one rep.

3

Exercise 5 Walking Lunge

Place a barbell across your shoulders (a), then step your left leg forward into a lunge, bending both knees to 90 degrees (b). Press through your left heel to push up and step forward into a standing position. Step your right leg forward into a lunge and repeat. Each step is one repetition.

3

Exercise 6 Sprinter Kickback

Face a low cable machine and attach the ankle strap to your left ankle. (You can also use a light resistance band if necessary.) Lift your left knee up in front of you, right knee bent (a). From this position, squeeze your glutes and drive your left leg back to extend your hip until your leg is straight behind you, pressing through your left heel (b). Return to start and complete all reps before switching sides.

3

Exercise 7 Step-Up

Place a barbell across your shoulders and stand in front of a stable stepping block or bench. Stand tall with your core engaged, then place your left foot on the bench (a). Driving through that heel, push yourself up on the bench (b). Step back down to the floor to return to start. Complete all reps, then switch legs.

3

Exercise 8 Single-Leg Deadlift

Hold a barbell in front of your thighs, using an overhand grip. Soften your knees and shift your weight onto your left leg (a). Hinge forward from your hips to lower the bar toward the floor, keeping it close to your body and raising your right leg behind you. Your left knee should be slightly bent, and your chest lifted, back flat, and arms straight (b). Press through your left heel and contract your glutes to reverse the movement and return to start. Complete all reps, then switch legs.