The 3D Booty: Training the Glutes for Form and Function

Booties, butts, glutes and rumps. Our fascination with enhancing our posterior spans the training spectrum, from the aesthetic-focused client to the performance-driven athlete. Yes, we want our backsides to look better, but we also need them to function more effectively, judging from the increasing number of knee and low-back injuries (Hoy et al. 2012).

Our current approach to the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex—emphasizing concentric muscle activation and linear movement patterns—provides an incomplete picture of how the hip joint and surrounding myofascia receive and transmit a variety of forces. This article will explore some unique kinesiological and biomechanical principles to widen our perspective on how the glutes function in many of our favorite exercises. After that, you’ll find exercise strategies to give your clients the butts they’ve always wanted and the hip function they require to move optimally.

The Need to Move Multidirectionally

As we peel back the layers of the buttocks, we find an abundance of myofascia running multidirectionally around the pelvis, sacrum and femur, allowing the hip to be one of the body’s most stable and mobile joints. The short distances between the origin and insertion points of the various gluteal and hip-rotator muscles also provide good leverage and power for hip propulsion and stabilization. The multidirectional orientation of these muscles allows us to absorb and transmit force in a variety of directions, but only if we train the body accordingly.

Traditional squats, lunges and dead-lifts transmit a predominantly large and unidirectional force, typically in the sagittal plane through the hip-glute complex, allowing us to greatly load the body in that direction. The toning and hypertrophy benefits gained here, however, may come at a cost to the surrounding connective tissue as it becomes less resilient at handling multidirectional force (Price 2012).

Luckily, there is more than one way to promote hypertrophy of a muscle. It’s been shown that multiplanar movements recruit more muscle fibers to be stimulated for mechanical stress at intensities as low as 30% of a one-repetition maximum, so long as the movement is done to failure (Burd 2012; Schoenfeld 2010).

Promoting multidirectional movements in our squat-and lunge-type patterns can

• stimulate more glute fibers to be exposed to mechanical stress (think muscle tone);
• promote connective-tissue tolerance of multidirectional movement;
• enhance the nervous system’s responsiveness to multidirectional movement;
• maintain or even improve the integrity of the hip, knee and spine; and
• progressively add more intensity and volume (mechanical stress) to multidirectional movements for hypertrophic gains.

Back to Kinesiology School

Conventionally, we think the glutes’ primary function is to create hip extension, external rotation and abduction. As a result, we select popular exercises such as floor bridges and hip thrusts, side-lying clams, prone leg raises and cable hip extensions because of their high muscle-activation potential during these motions. While this conventional approach is still warranted, it considers only how the glutes and hips function in the presence of gravity, with femur-on-pelvis motion in a horizontal position relative to gravity.

When we expose the upright body to the forces of gravity and ground reaction, and then couple them with pelvis-on-femur motion, we find the glutes will actually turn “on” during their eccentric phase and, relatively speaking, turn “off” during the concentric phase, using the concept of “load to unload” (Lorenz 2011; Komi 2000). For example, the glutes will turn on during the deceleration of an anterior walking lunge but turn off as we stand up and propel ourselves forward onto the other leg.

Coupling eccentric muscle contraction with loading/lengthening of the fascial web helps us maximize our energy potential, following the principle of energy conservation (Komi 2000). Thus, the glute complex receives the energy of gravity and ground reaction as the hip moves into flexion, relative internal rotation and relative adduction—motions opposite to those we usually associate with glute activation (Wolf 2011). The interplay of the neuromyofascial systems and their timing in promoting optimal hip, knee and lumbar motion are vital for maintaining the integrity of our joints and for enhancing performance (IOM 2012).

This perspective increases our understanding of why squats, deadlifts and lunges are great glute exercises, and it provides a path to helping clients improve the appearance of their butts. How so? Well, performing these exercises multidirectionally allows us to truly take advantage of the glutes’ responsibility to stabilize and create multiplanar motion at the hip, while also sending more mechanical stress into the gluteal complex.

Table 1. Conventional vs. Progressive Approach to Glute Function

Perspective	Conventional	Progressive
focus point	muscles	muscles, connective tissue, nervous system and joint motion
activation	concentric	eccentric and isometric
force profile	gravity	gravity plus ground-reaction force
hip motion	femur on pelvis	pelvis on femur
muscle actions	accelerates hip extension, abduction, external rotation	decelerates hip flexion, relative adduction and relative internal rotation
position and direction	horizontal and sagittal	vertical and multidimensional

Level-Based Approach to Progressive Glute Training

The following exercises may be new for you or your clients, so it is imperative to build a foundation for good movement and slowly progress the level of force the body (and specifically the glutes) can tolerate. If you can move a lot of weight with traditional squats, lunges and deadlifts, it’s still important to begin by practicing these new movements unloaded, with small ranges of motion and at speeds that promote rhythmic movement.

As we build a tolerance to novel movements, we can progress to greater mass, bigger ranges of motion and faster speeds. You may be surprised at how sore the hips can become after these exercises, so avoid the mantra that “more is better” and follow this continuum to success.

Table 2. Threshold Training

	Threshold 1	Threshold 2	Threshold 3
Force	low	medium	high
Range of motion	small	small-moderate	large
Speed of motion	slow	medium	fast
Neural complexity	simple	simple-moderate	complex
Metabolic demand	low	medium	high

Source: Adapted from Institute of Motion 2012

Threshold 1 Exercise

Level 1 exercises begin with a known movement but may provide a new direction of stress into the body. They typically start with a stationary footprint and can help teach the rhythm that ensures the feet, ankles, knees and hips share the responsibility of a given movement pattern. Movement must be pain-free and initially should be kept to small ranges of motion and slow speeds. As a client improves, these exercises can evolve into a great warm-up for Threshold 2 and Threshold 3 exercises.

Staggered-Stance Squat With Lateral Arm Reach

Exercise Instructions
Setup	Begin in split stance, right leg forward and foot flat. Left leg is back and on toes. Arms are at sides.
Execution	Drive body down and forward so majority of weight is on front foot. Simultaneously, drive left hand laterally and toward ground while hips move in opposite direction. Stand back up and repeat for desired reps before switching to other side.
Tips	Move ankle, knee and hip at same time. Avoid keeping knees back behind toes. Right hip should be outside of right foot. Avoid laterally flexing spine.
Progressions	Add dumbbell to left hand; Increase speed and range of motion; Progress into forward lunge.
Benefits	Loads hips in flexion and in relative adduction, placing a lot of tension through right glute. Strengthens structures of knee to handle valgus (knee cave-in) stress

ViPR® Stir The Pot

Exercise Instructions
Setup	Place light- to medium-sized ViPR on end in front of feet. Stand hip-width apart.
Execution	Begin by tilting ViPR with hands forward and to left (toward 10:30 on clock face). At same time, hips should be flexing and moving in opposite direction to hands (toward 4:30). Tilt ViPR in circular pattern while driving hips in circular pattern before standing up and repeating in other direction.
Tips	Move ankle, knee and hip at same time. Keep knees “soft” to promote hip motion. Time it so hips and hands move together. Avoid laterally flexing spine.
Progressions	Perform with internally rotated feet. Increase speed and ROM. Carry and shift ViPR vs. tilt.
Benefits	Mobilizes hips and sacrum. Weight of ViPR creates loaded stretch in tissues of posterior chain. Promotes rhythm and timing of hand and hip motions. Teaches client how to move through hips, not through spine.

Power Plate® Wide-Stance Lateral Squat

Exercise Instructions
Setup	Set Power Plate to Level 1 (30 Hertz/low) for beginners, Level 3 (30 Hz/ high) for intermediate, Level 6 (40 Hz/high) for advanced; set timer to 60 seconds. Place feet on opposite sides of plate. Hold left handrails.
Execution	Shift hips over right foot while holding handrails. Be sure to sit back into hips and keep spine tall. Stand up and repeat for 30 seconds before switching sides.
Tips	Lateral hip shift is vital to success in this exercise. Keep knees “soft” to promote hip motion. Opposing inner thigh is also being loaded. Exercise does not have to be on Power Plate.
Progressions	Increase vibration. Increase speed and ROM. Progress into lateral lunge.
Benefits	With Power Plate, increases neuromuscular recruitment and circulation through glute complex. Teaches client to shift weight laterally through hips and not through spine. Uncouples hips during lateral movement, maintaining integrity of lumbar spine.

Threshold 2 Exercises

Level 2 exercises are typically loaded and can add complexity to a movement pattern. They require the body to move at various heights, distances and speeds and in various directions. The exercises require greater tissue and neural tolerance than Level 1 moves and are best used as progressions of Level 1 exercises.

Core-Tex™ Curtsy Lunge

Exercise Instructions
Setup	Holding handrail with both hands, place right foot on center of Core-Tex. Other foot will be floating.
Execution	Begin by driving left knee up and to right, causing Core-Tex to spin to right (foot pointed to 3 o’clock). Next, take left foot around Core-Tex and place it on floor at 3 o’clock, causing right foot to spin and point toward 9 o’clock. Stand up and repeat action for desired reps before switching sides.
Tips	Keep weight on foot that is on Core-Tex. Keep head facing straight to load hip more. Keep spine tall.
Progressions	Hold on with one hand. Increase speed and ROM. Progress into step-over.
Benefits	Loads hips in flexion and in relative internal rotation, placing a lot of tension through glutes. Activates glutes to decelerate knee valgus. Adds reactive variability to enhance connective-tissue and nervous-system plasticity for this motion.

TRX® Suspension Trainer™ Single-Leg Squat With Rotation

Exercise Instructions
Setup	With TRX in long position, place left foot in foot cradles and right foot on ground.
Execution	Squat on right foot while driving left hand toward right foot and right hand to right and overhead. Stand up and repeat for desired reps before switching.
Tips	Move ankle, knee and hip at same time. Avoid keeping knees back behind toes. Drive opposite hand to foot. Keep spine tall.
Progressions	Add dumbbell to left hand. low speed for greater time-under-tension per rep. Add vertical hop.
Benefits	Loads hips and glutes in all three planes of motion. Uncouples hips, promoting healthy spine motion. Enhances balance.

ViPR Single-Leg Deadlift With Cross-Over Reach

Exercise Instructions
Setup	Balance on right leg. Hold ViPR with left hand in shovel grip. Keep right knee soft.
Execution	Hinge on right hip, driving left leg back. Drive ViPR across body so thumb points at right heel and ViPR lines up parallel to right foot. Left leg will move in opposite direction, creating right hip flexion and internal rotation.
Tips	Regress exercise with ViPR tilt. Left leg won’t go straight back, but will point toward 7:30. Keep spine tall.
Progressions	Perform with wide grip. Increase speed or mass. Increase ROM.
Benefits	Loads hips and glutes in flexion and rotation. Enhances dynamic balance in unique direction. Integrates hand and hip motions.

Threshold 3 Exercises

Level 3 exercises are multidirectional, with faster speeds and/or greater load; they require higher levels of tissue and neural tolerance than Levels 1 and 2. Exercises in Level 3 mimic the neural, mechanical and metabolic demands the client may experience in daily life or sport. The exercises are complex, so you need to establish proper rhythm before progressing.

Sandbell® Ice Skater

Exercise Instructions
Setup	Using claw grip with left hand, stand on left leg.
Execution	Laterally bound onto right foot while driving left hand in front of knee. Allow left leg to swing behind right leg to load hip laterally. Bound back to left leg and repeat for desired rep range before switching.
Tips	Move ankle, knee and hip at same time. Avoid keeping knees back behind toes. Reach from scapula with opposing arm to load hip in all three planes. Keep spine tall.
Progressions	Bound farther or in different direction. Let go of SandBell and catch it at knee height. Drive to shin height.
Benefits	Loads hips and glutes in all three planes of motion. Increases tissue’s tolerance of speed. Improves ability to absorb and transmit momentum laterally.

ViPR Rotational Overhead Deadlift

Exercise Instructions
Setup	Begin in split stance, right leg forward and foot flat. Left leg is back and on toes. Place ViPR in front of right foot horizontal to toes.
Execution	Squat down onto right foot and pick up ViPR in neutral grip. Lift ViPR overhead while pivoting feet 180 degrees; then place ViPR down slowly in front of left foot and let go. Repeat for desired reps.
Tips	Move ankle, knee and hip at same time. Avoid keeping knees back behind toes. Regress exercise by placing ViPR on riser. Be sure to let go of ViPR to work on body’s ability to overcome inertia.
Progressions	Use wide grip. Use offset grip for asymmetrical strength challenge. Increase speed and ROM.
Benefits	Enhances deep ROM strength. Builds transverse strength. Improves unique deadlift position. >>

Frontal-Plane Dumbbell Deadlift

Exercise Instructions
Setup	Start in wide stance with dumbbells (DBs) lying in front of left leg. Feet should point straight ahead or even slightly inward to put more length through glute complex.
Execution	Shift weight over left leg, flexing ankle, knee and hip. Lift DBs off ground to hip height, and shift hips over right foot, decelerating DBs back to ground in front of right foot. Repeat for desired reps.
Tips	Move ankle, knee and hip at same time. Avoid keeping knees back behind toes. Use small bench if ground offers too much ROM. Avoid laterally flexing spine.
Progressions	Increase weight. Lift DBs overhead before returning to ground. Progress to step or lunge.
Benefits	Improves frontal-plane strength and mobility. Enhances deadlift in nontraditional position. Strengthens integration of glutes, pelvic floor and opposing adductors.

Workout A

Exercise	Sets	Reps	Rest
Superset 1: ViPR single-leg cross-over deadlift heavy hip thrust	2–4	6–8 each leg 6–8	no rest Rest 1 minute, then repeat superset.
Superset 2: Core-Tex curtsy lunge heavy barbell squat	2–4	10–12 each leg 6–10	no rest Rest 1 minute, then repeat superset.
Superset 3: Power Plate wide-stance lateral squat heavy kettlebell two-arm anterior swing	2–4	30–60 seconds 0–45 seconds	no rest Rest 1 minute, then repeat superset.
Superset 4: staggered-stance squat with lateral arm reach heavy dumbbell lunge	2–4	8–10 each leg 6–10 each leg	no rest Rest 1 minute, then repeat superset.

Workout B

Exercise	Sets	Reps	Rest
Superset 1: heavy hip thrust SandBell ice skater	2–4	10–12 each leg 30–45 seconds	no rest Rest 1 minute, then repeat superset.
Superset 2: heavy barbell deadlift frontal-plane dumbbell deadlift	2–4	6–8 8–10	no rest Rest 1 minute, then repeat superset.
Superset 3: heavy barbell squat ViPR rotational overhead deadlift	2–4	6–8 8–10	no rest Rest 1 minute, then repeat superset.

Putting It All Together: Hybrid Glute Workout

Workout A uses a superset format to bridge the gap between conventional and progressive approaches to glute- strength training. The first exercise in each superset is a Level 1 or Level 2 progressive exercise followed by a heavy, linear conventional exercise. The intent is to mobilize the major joints of the body and increase neuromuscular recruitment, with progressive exercises enabling increased performance in the conventional exercises. To place adequate mechanical stress on the glute area, it would be wise to increase the volume and intensity each week.

Workout B also uses the superset format but places a heavy, linear conventional exercise on the body first before attempting a Level 3 progressive exercise. The heavy stress and multidirectional movements create unique multidirectional mechanical stress into the glutes for optimal neuromuscular recruitment and enhanced connective-tissue tolerance.