HOME: Glutes & Hamstrings

Glutes & Hamstrings

1. Sumo Squat – 12,12,10,10 reps
2. Hip Thrusts – 12 reps – 5 sets
3. Step Ups – 10 reps each leg – 3 sets
4. Banded Kick Backs – until failure – 3 sets
5. Banded Hip Abductors – until failure – 3 sets

Sumo Squat 

Position your feet in a wide position outside your shoulers with your toes slightly pointed out. Holding your dumbbells in your hands in-between your legs, slowly squat down being sure to keep your weight in your heels. Make sure your knees are following your toes, also pointed outwards and keep your chest up but your head down to keep your spine neutral. Focusing on squeezing your glutes as you push up out of the squat.

Hip Thrusts

Place your feet hip width apart and not too far away from your body, when you press up it should make about a 90 degree angle. Its very important to make sure you are not arching your back as you thrust up and also to not let it arch as you bring the weight down. I find it helps me to lift my toes a bit and really push through my heels to make sure I am isolating my glutes as much as possible.

Step Ups

The key here is slow and controlled. Focusing on one leg at a time step up and try your best not to let the other leg push off the ground, keep all your weight on the leg you are stepping up with. As you come back down to the ground you want to be as slow and controlled as possible, try your best not to let your leg land hard but rather setting in down softly. Make sure you are keeping a tight core to help with balance and stability. If this is difficult at first find something shorter than a bench or try without holding the weight.

Banded Kick Backs

Balanced on one leg with a band around your thighs, slowly kick back one leg behind you. I suggest having something to lean into so you can focus less on the balance and more on the squeeze and intention behind the movement. Be sure to keep the leg you are kicking back with straight and being sure to hold and squeeze for a second at the top. Slowly bright your leg back down and tap the ground and repeat.

Banded Hip Abductors

Seated with your feet together and a band a couple inches above your knees. Push your knees out against the band and as far out as you can and get a good squeeze. Slowly bring your knees back together and repeat.