HOME: Glutes & Hamstrings

Glutes & Hamstrings

1. Hip Thrusts – 14,12,10,8,6 reps
2. Bulgarian Split Squat – 8 reps each leg – 4 sets
3. Romanian Deadlift – 12,10,10,8 reps
4. Step Ups – 8 reps each leg – 4 sets
5. Banded Hip Abductors – until failure – 4 sets

Hip Thrusts 

Perform this exercise with weight and a band. 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. It’s 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.

Bulgarian Split Squat 

Stand 2 to 3 feet in front of a knee-high platform or bench and position your right leg behind you resting your foot flat on the bench. Slowly lower down towards the ground and back up. The further out you place your front foot, the more you will be engaging your hamstrings and glutes, the closer is it to the bench the more you will engage quads. Another factor is your chest. The more you slightly lean forward, you will engage hamstrings and glutes, and the more upright your torso is will be more quad focused.

Romanian Deadlift 

Focus on pushing your hips back with a slight bend in your knees and bringing the dumbbells straight down your shins. Keep your head down, neutral with your spine, looking up and bringing your head up will put more pressure on your lower back so make sure your looking down or tucking your chin.

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 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.