Pelvic Lifts
- Lie on your back, with your legs bent and both feet flat on the floor, hip-width apart. Rest your arms at your sides.
- Pressing down your heels, raise your hips several inches off the floor.
- Squeeze your butt muscles together at the top of the movement, then relax them on the return towards the floor.
- For beginners, do one set of 8 to 10 repetitions.
- If you're more experienced, do 2 to 3 sets of 8 to 10 repetitions each.
Side Leg Lifts
- On your hands and knees, keep your right leg bent at 90 degrees, and raise it to the side leading with your knee.
- Hold for 1 second, then lower to starting position.
- For beginners, do one set of 8 to 10 repetitions, then switch legs.
- If you're more experienced, do 2 to 3 sets of 8 to 10 repetitions each, then switch legs.
Donkey Lifts
- On your hands and knees, bring your right knee to your chest; then kick back, leading with the heel of your foot. Do not arch your back.
- Straighten your right leg behind you, lifting it out and up - squeezing your buttock muscle.
- Bring knee back to chest.
- For beginners, do one set of 8 to 10 repetitions, then switch legs.
- If you're more experienced, do 2 to 3 sets of 8 to 10 repetitions each, then switch legs.
More experienced exercisers may also want to add the following exercise to help tone up the buttocks:
Lunges
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, and your knees slightly bent.
- Place your hands by your side or out in front of you, for balance.
- Step forward, bending your front leg.
- Hold for 2 seconds while squeezing your buttocks, then return to the starting position.
- Do 3 sets of 8 to 10 repetitions per leg.