Strength

Glute Kickback

The glute kickback is a beginner strength exercise for your glutes, using just your body weight.

Main muscles
Glutes
Also works
Hamstrings
Equipment
Body weight
Level
Beginner
Glute Kickback, starting position
Start
Glute Kickback, end position
Finish

How to do it

  1. Kneel on the floor or an exercise mat and bend at the waist with your arms extended in front of you (perpendicular to the torso) in order to get into a kneeling push-up position but with the arms spaced at shoulder width. Your head should be looking forward and the bend of the knees should create a 90-degree angle between the hamstrings and the calves. This will be your starting position.
  2. As you exhale, lift up your right leg until the hamstrings are in line with the back while maintaining the 90-degree angle bend. Contract the glutes throughout this movement and hold the contraction at the top for a second. Tip: At the end of the movement the upper leg should be parallel to the floor while the calf should be perpendicular to it.
  3. Go back to the initial position as you inhale and now repeat with the left leg.
  4. Continue to alternate legs until all of the recommended repetitions have been performed.

Alternatives to the glute kickback