The glutes are the largest and most powerful muscles in the body. Strengthening the glutes provides numerous benefits: it improves posture, stabilizes the hips, enhances athletic movements (speed, power...), helps prevent injuries and pain, etc.
It is important to know the anatomy of the glutes, so that you can recognize where their muscles are located and how they function. They allow for the mobility of the lower limbs of the body, including the pelvis and the spine. They are divided into three groups: Gluteus maximus, medius, and minimus.
The most visible one is the gluteus maximus, as it is the largest, located in the superficial layer, and the strongest. It originates in the posterior part of the sacrum extending towards the iliac crest and the gluteal tuberosity.
The gluteus medius is smaller than the previous one and is the main hip abductor, as it acts by moving the thigh outwards and helps in pelvis stability. Lastly, the gluteus minimus is the smallest of all, located more towards the inside, and is less strong.
Exercises with resistance bands for glutes
Elastic bands are increasingly used in workouts to tone the body, especially when working out at home. Among their main benefits is that you can train any muscle group with them, and they also provide resistance without the need to add heavy weights to your workout.
However, it is important to know how to use them properly in order to achieve the best results. Therefore, we will mention 7 exercises with elastic bands for glutes, so you can start training with them as soon as possible.
- Monster Walk: This is a perfect glute exercise to do with resistance bands. First, place the resistance band around the lower part of your knee, with your feet separated at knee-width and pointing slightly outwards as if you were going to do a squat. Then, start taking small horizontal steps while exerting muscle pressure to be able to do them, as the resistance band will provide resistance.
-Glute bridge: It is an exercise that should not be missing in your glute training with resistance bands. Place the band at knee level, lie on the floor with your legs bent and your feet supported on the ground. Then, lift your pelvis by contracting the muscles of the glutes, hold for a few seconds, and then return to the starting position.
- Seated abductions: This is an exercise that works the gluteus medius. Place the resistance band just above your knees, then sit on a bench or chair with your knees apart. Next, you should open and close your legs. The resistance band will provide resistance as you open your legs, and the gluteal muscles will work hard to achieve these movements.
- Glute kick: It is a classic resistance band exercise for the glutes, performing a movement with intensity to induce greater strength thanks to the resistance of the band. We start by getting on all fours with our hands on the ground.
The resistance band should be slightly above the knees. Next, we lift one leg as if kicking backwards and then lower it to be able to lift the other. This exercise requires strength and intensity in each lift to achieve the best results.
- Lateral hip opening: To do this exercise, lie down on the floor (it's better if you have a mat) and place the resistance band above your ankles or knees. Then, lay on your side with your body completely stretched out.
Raise one leg sideways while exerting force, and then lower it, repeating the same movement several times before switching to the other leg.
- Squat: This glute exercise consists of performing the classic squat, but this time we will do it by exerting resistance. Place the elastic band around your knees, when you do the squat your knees will slightly open, which will create pressure on the glute muscles to be able to perform the movement.
- Clamshell: It is a glute exercise that is done with resistance bands; it is simple to perform but very effective. To begin, you should lie on the floor with your knees bent and your feet placed one on top of the other. Keep your torso slightly upright with your head supported by your forearm. Place the resistance band above your knees.
After this, you should slightly lift the knee of the leg that is on top, creating tension with the resistance band. The up and down movements should be controlled, then repeat with the other leg, changing the starting position.
Perform exercises for the glutes with resistance bands.
Elastic bands provide the necessary resistance to exert greater muscle strength during each exercise. There are different types of bands with varying resistances that you can combine according to the type of exercise you do or your own strength.
Perform 3 sets of 15-20 repetitions for each exercise. For personalized training, contact a personal trainer.