Whether you inherited it from your mother or losing weight has left you with a flat and tiny tush, you secretly may be hoping for a fuller, shapelier bottom (maybe even one like Jen Selter). It's time to step up your strength-training routine. Just like hiking and running hills, these 11 moves will build, sculpt, and lift your glutes in no time! And her are some beauty tips to help your toned tush look even smoother.
— Additional reporting by Emily Bibb
Step Ups
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Walking up flights of stairs is great for your tush, but stepping up onto a chair is a more effective move since the step height is greater. Make sure you're using a stable and sturdy chair that can support your weight without sliding. If a chair feels too high, use a sturdy stool or a bottom stair.
Stand in front of your chair and place your left foot in the center of the seat.
Step up onto the chair and bring your right knee forward and up.
Lower yourself back to the floor, with the foot landing quietly.
Switch legs and repeat to complete one rep. Do 20 reps total.
This move is an oldie but a goodie when it comes to targeting your hamstrings, quads, and of course, your backside.
Stand upright holding a pair of medium-weight dumbbells in each hand, arms at your sides, with your knees slightly bent.
Keeping your arms straight and knees slightly bent, slowly bend at the hips (not your waist) and lower the weights as far as possible without rounding your back, which should remain straight.
Now squeeze your glutes to slowly pull yourself up (don't use your back).
Do three sets of 15 reps.
New to this? Then use a lighter pair of dumbbells until you get stronger — you don't want to strain your back. Already a pro? Then try doing it on just one leg.
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Basic Squat With Side Leg Lift
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Here's a move that can help smooth out your saddlebags, also called your lower love handles. You'll definitely feel this move burning both sides of your tush at the same time.
Stand with your feet shoulder-width distance apart, feet parallel. Hold your hands out in front of you for balance. Bend your knees, lowering your hips deeply so your thighs are parallel with the floor, keeping your weight back in your heels.
Then rise back up, straightening the legs completely and lifting the left leg out to the side, squeezing the outer glute.
As you step the foot back into shoulder-width distance position, squat down again. Then stand up and do a side leg lift on the right side. Lower the leg back to the starting position.
This counts as one rep. Do three sets of 15 reps on each side.
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Superman
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The basic Superman exercise targets your back and backside. Make this exercise even more challenging for your tush and hamstrings by squeezing an exercise ball between your lower legs.
Lie on your belly, engage your abs, and extend your arms straight out in front of you.
Lift your legs, arms, and chest off the floor. Hold for a count of 10 and then slowly release your body back to the floor.
Perform as many reps as you can in one minute.
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Lying Hamstring Curl
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This move is somewhat relaxing since you're lying on your back, but you'll really feel your buns a-burnin'.
Start by lying flat on your back with an exercise ball under your heels. Bridge your hips up and hold that position through the entire exercise.
Flex your feet and dig your heels into the ball. Place your arms straight out to your sides for support — don't use them though. They are just for support.
Slowly roll the ball toward your body as you curl your heels. Keep your hips in the bridge position — don't thrust them toward the ceiling as you do the move.
Then slowly return to the starting position (legs straight and hips bridged) to complete one rep.
Do three sets of 15 reps.
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Donkey Kick With Weight
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Here's an intense move that works one side at a time. You can also do it without a dumbbell.
Start on all fours, with your hands directly under your shoulders and your knees directly under your hips.
Bend your right knee at a 90-degree angle and place a dumbbell in the crook of your knee.
Slowly pulse your flexed foot toward the ceiling by squeezing your glutes. Your back should remain perfectly still in a neutral spine. The motion should be small and controlled with the muscle doing the work and not momentum.
Return to the starting position to complete one rep. Do three sets of 15 pulses on each side.
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Single Leg Bridge
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Love this backside move that works the hamstrings, too.
Lie on your back, and place your hands on the floor for stability as you bend one leg and lift the other leg off the ground.
Pressing your heel into the floor, lift your pelvis up, keeping your body in a stiff bridge position.
Slowly lower your body to the floor and repeat three sets of 15 reps on each side.
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Ball Planks With Leg Lifts
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This exercise not only adds lift to your tush but will also tone your core and upper body.
Lie your belly onto an exercise ball, and walk your hands out until the ball is under your shins. Your hands should be directly under your shoulders.
Draw your navel toward your spine to engage your abs and stabilize your torso.
Lift your left leg up, squeezing your glute, then slowly lower your leg back onto the ball. Switch sides and lift the right leg, keeping your pelvis square. This counts as one repetition. Complete three sets of 10 reps.