Your Guide To A Better Bum

Think Beyond Aesthetics

The muscles in your bum – that’s the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius and gluteus minimus – are important, and there’s more to them than looking good in your jeans. According to Louisa Drake, former professional dancer and founder of The Louisa Drake Method, a sculpted bottom will help protect your lower back and enhance your performance in other sports, particularly running. Louisa also warns that desk-bound jobs are wreaking havoc with our muscle strength: “We spend much of the day sitting on our butts instead of using them, and this has led to an epidemic of flat, lazy and underused glutes. This has actually been coined ‘gluteal amnesia’, and studies have shown it’s one of the primary causes in the development of lower back pain.” Nicole de Souza, live trainer at OpenFit and Xtend Barre master trainer, also says your glutes play a vital role in preventing injury: “The three muscles in your glutes are among the strongest muscles in the body. They work together to abduct, rotate and extend your hips. Strong glutes are important for proper pelvic alignment and stability, which can prevent knee injuries while running and during exercises such as the deadlift, squat and lunge.”

You Need To Turn Them On

Sitting at your desk all day is a disaster when it comes to lower-body strength, resulting in poor performance when you do hit the gym. When the glutes aren’t strong enough, muscles that weren’t designed for the job will take over; and over time these ‘helper’ muscles may become overstressed, resulting in pain and compression in the lumbar spine, hips and knees. For example, Louisa says it’s common for quads to take over in exercises such as squats and lunges, when in reality the glutes should be doing the majority of the work. “Tight hips can also mean you initiate movements from your knees instead of your hips so the focus is on the legs instead of the glutes.” Louisa also told us isolation of the gluteal muscles is crucial for results – this will not only switch them on after being sat at your desk all day, but will guarantee a full-body burn because working your lower body is more metabolic than any other type of training. One simple switch everyone can make, says Louisa, is to swap a regular lunge for a reverse lunge. “This is a great move to work the glutes a little harder and add flexibility to your hips. Reverse lunges also align the body better, which can help if you are sat down all day.”

Go To Your Limits

If you’re on a mission to sculpt your lower body, the odd squat isn’t going to cut it. “To increase strength and definition in your bum, you need to work the glutes to the point of fatigue,” says Nicole. “Don’t be afraid to use slightly heavier weights than you normally would. Try slowing your lifting tempo too, doing fewer, longer reps to increase your time under tension,” she adds. “And don’t forget to mix things up so you don’t hit a plateau – aim to change up your routine every two months. It’s important to find your challenge zone – if something doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you.” 

Prioritise Strength Training…

“Strength training that targets the three muscles in the glutes can give you a tighter, more rounded look, and if you train specific muscles, these will increase in mass,” says Louisa. “Compound exercises, such as squats or deadlifts that work lots of different muscles at the same time, are also a good idea. In order to have longer-looking, shapely legs and a lifted seat, over-emphasise training the hamstrings and gluteus maximus muscles.” Louisa also explains lifting weights won’t necessarily burn more calories than cardio, but the increased muscle mass you develop will make your body burn more calories during rest. “Remember the body’s fat-burning process continues for around 15 hours after you work out, even at rest.” When it comes to specific moves, Louisa says squats are the holy grail. “The squat tops every list of butt-sculpting exercises as it directly works the glutes. Go one step further by adding hand weights.”

…But Don’t Discount Cardio

The secret to a better bum, says Louisa, lies in the right combination of resistance training and high-intensity aerobic exercise. “Instead of a purely cardio-focused workout, aim to work out three to five times per week, including a mix of both resistance-only sessions and sessions that incorporate both cardio and resistance.” Nicole agrees, adding it’s important to consider your booty-sculpting aspirations in terms of your larger fitness goals. “If your goal is to build strength, ensure you are working in all three planes of motion, so you target the glutes from all angles. If, however, your primary focus is boosting endurance and cardiovascular fitness, consider sprinting – it’s one of the best ways to stimulate your bum and lower body as it requires force and power.”