Flat rear in need of a lift.

xercise4fun

New Member
Hello all,

This is my first time posting and an embarrassing question at the same time. I have had a flat rear end all of my life. I was wondering if there are any exercises out there to target this part of my body. I absolutely HATE lunges. Anyone have any suggestions? I would like to build up the muscle and lift it up at the same time.

Thanks for any suggestions.
 
Try Lotte Berk's "High Round Assets." It's very different from Cathe's approach... a nice way to shake things up and no lunges.

That said, heavy squats have been the most effective exercise for me.
 
Step-ups.

And try to do some lunges, including walking lunges from time to time if at all possible. I know you hate them, but they are very effective. I hate squats, but given what they do for my quads, I force myself to do them at least once a week. Just my two cents.
 
Since you have had a flat rear end "all of your life," the basic shape is probably pretty genetically determined, and you many not be able to achieve the look you want. But you can do some things to add muscle and a bit of height.

What has helped me :the Firm floor work ("hydrant"-type moves with ankle weights, like Cathe does in Legs and Glutes, but more reps. The Firm standing leg work (leg presses, hover squats, lunges, squats--particularly the leg work in the older Firms). Heavy squats or leg presses. Doing step for aerobics (kickboxing, on the other hand, tends to make my butt lean, but low and flatter!) especially on an 8" step rather than lower.
 
Here is some information you can look over: (this came as a newletter from my email, the website is listed below)

Are you ready to build some serious glutes?

Today, you are going to learn all about one of the best
glute-building exercises I have ever come across. And not
only does it work the glutes extremely effectively, it is an
exercise that can be done at home, at the gym, on the road
or pretty much anywhere you can think of!! It is incredibly
versatile and incredibly effective.

At the end of this description, you will find a link that
will take you to a web page that will show pictures and a
large, full-color demonstration video of the exercise.

Let’s get right to it...

-------------------------------------------------------------

Bench Step One Legged Squats


Why Is This Exercise So Effective?

This exercise works the glute from almost the fullest
stretch you can get on them. This position is very effective
for building the glutes rapidly.

The exercise uses your bodyweight yet you can easily spot
yourself with your hands, taking up as much or as little of
your bodyweight as you want. This allows the exercise to
be done by almost anybody yet still be extremely effective
for building the glutes.


How To Do It:

1. You will need a solid chair or bench for this exercise.
This is to increase the useful range of motion of the
exercise, which is important for maximizing it's effects.
You will also need to have something solid that you can grab
onto. This can be a railing or a door frame or a pole, etc.
Place the chair/bench immediately in front of this solid
object.

2. Stand on the chair on one leg facing the solid object
and hold onto it at about waist or abdomen level directly
in front of you (after a few reps, you will get a feel for
where to place your hands). Your heel should be close to the
back edge of the chair.

3. Lower your body as far down as you can go into a one-
legged squat. Your other leg will drop down below the level
of the chair seat behind you. You should feel a great
stretch in your glute. Make sure you continue to keep a
firm grip on whatever you are holding on to.

4. Push yourself back up using your glute as much as
possible. This is most easily accomplished by focusing on
pushing with your heel. Also, you can stick your butt out
while pushing back up to really maximize the effect.

5. Use your grip on the solid object only as much as is
necessary to keep the movement going. If you pull too much
with your arms, you will take tension off the glutes and
legs and defeat the purpose of the exercise.


Common Errors:

1. Dropping down too quickly

Do this movement slowly and under control. If you drop down
too quickly, not only do you risk injury to the knee, you
diffuse much of the tension that should be placed on the
glute.

2. Do not bounce out of the bottom (no pun intended)

Pause for a count of 2 at the bottom of the movement. Feel
a good stretch on the glute then reverse the direction
without bouncing. Bouncing out of the bottom could lead to
knee injury. It also reduces the tension you are placing on
the glutes.

3. Don't pull yourself up too much with your arm

Giving yourself too much assistance with your arm will
diffuse the tension on your glute. Strive to use your arm
to balance yourself rather than to pull yourself up as much
as possible. Only use your arm to pull yourself up when you
have to.


Tricks:

1. Stick your butt out

To focus the exercise more on your glutes rather than the
thighs, stick your butt out as you push yourself up. This
will help focus on the hip extension function of the glute.

2. Adding resistance

You may find, after doing this exercise for awhile, that
using only your bodyweight is not enough. When you get to
this point, you have a few options for resistance.

If you are working out at home, try loading a backpack up
with heavy books. Add books slowly, increasing as you get
accustomed to the resistance. This allows you to add
resistance while keeping both your hands available for
balance and assistance.



Another option is to hold onto a dumbell with one hand. You
should be quite strong with this exercise before attempting
this version. Also, you should be comfortable balancing
yourself while using only one hand (practice this balancing
before using extra weight).

If you go to a gym, you may have access to a calf raise
machine or squat machine. If you do, slide a flat bench
underneath the shoulder pads. Use a very light weight to
start with until you get used to the movement. You will be
standing on the bench with your shoulders under the pads
just like you normally would have them during the calf
raise or squat movement. Because you are on a bench, your
body will be higher and you will get resistance during the
one-leg squat movement. You will also be able to balance
yourself by holding onto the shoulder pads. The machine
will do the balancing for you.

3. Pause at the bottom

To maximize the stretch you put on the glutes, hold the
stretch at the bottom of the movement for a 2 count. Hold
it there until you totally diffuse all the elastic tension
you've built up on the way down. This will increase the work
that your glute must do to get yourself back up.

4. Pulling yourself up

As you begin to tire, you can use your arm to pull yourself
up as necessary. This allows you to keep going far longer
than if you were working on leg power alone. You can use
that pull to basically give yourself forced reps.


To view pictures and a video demonstration of this exercise,
go to the following URL:

http://www.fitstep.com/bigger-butt/bench-step-exercise.htm


This exercise is truly amazing. The first time I did it, I
couldn’t sit down comfortably for days! And that soreness
means one thing for you: results.

---

If you truly want to build a larger, firmer, rounder rear
end, you need to get “Gluteus to the Maximus” right now.

It is, by far, the most comprehensive package ever put
together for the sole purpose of building larger glutes.
There is not a single stone unturned, not a single angle
missed. If it’s effective for building your butt, it’s in
here.

Go to

http://www.fitstep.com/bigger-butt/i-want-a-bigger-butt.htm

There is a book by Nick Nilsson, Gluteus to the Maximus, Build a Bigger Butt NOW!
www.fitness-ebooks.com
Susan C.M.:D
 
Looks interesting! i'd try it - but i just want to tone my butt - not make it bigger. the toning i need is at the bottom and sides. do you think this exercise would help with that?
 
I work on the 9th floor in my building and every chance I get I take the stairs from the 5th fl (as of now till my endurance grows, then Ill start lower). There are double sets of stairs to each floor so its a total of 8 sets of 12 steps each. I like to take every other step instead of one at a time so to get more of a lift. I usually do this 3-4 times a day.

Input---Is this helping to lift my glutes I hope? I also do other leg work too, but do this for an added bonus.

I know that if it doesnt help give my glutes a lift, it sure does work my hamstrings and calves thats for sure.
 
Hi! Me again. Lynne, for some reason your post made me laugh. I know, I know, we don't want our butts bigger. I think the exercises were for building the glute muscle. Ok, our aim is to fill out flat butts, not add size. Lets focus on the need to be placed on adding size that is based on muscle. However, filling out the glutes is different than increasing the muscle tone there will be different butt and hip exercises.
Some exercises that work are:
Heavy squats increase the glutes when using heavy weights. Hips and butt take a lot of this workload. It also gives your metabolism a good boost.
Weighted lunges
Weighted leg raises
Leg press (step ups)
Below is some more glute info. (can you tell I used to have a flat butt too?)

Anatomy of the Gluteus Muscles
The Gluteus Maximus is one of the largest and strongest muscles in the body.

Not shown are the Gluteus Medius and Minimus, which lie directly underneath the Gluteus Maximus.

The Gluteus Maximus originates along the pelvic bone crests and attaches to the rear of the femur.

The Gluteus Medius and Minimus originate in the same spot as the Maximus but attach to the side of the femur.

The Iliotibial Band is made only of connective tissue. This band serves to transfer the force of abduction (moving the leg away from the centerline of the body) to the leg.

Functions The primary function of the Gluteus Maximus is hip extension (moving the thigh to the rear).

The Gluteus Medius and Minimus serve to abduct (move away from the centerline of the body) the leg.

Exercises Exercises that work the Glutes include:

Lunges Butt-Blaster machine Lying glute push-ups
Squats Leg press Abductions

Susan C.M.:D
 
Doing the "step ups" as you go up stairs is a great idea. I wished I worked in a high rise building for that! Unfortunately, I only have one flight to conquer several times a day, so I still need Cathe!! I do the same...take every other step and really push through my heel. P90X Legs really worked my butt like no other too. It has yet to reveal whether it will "lift" it, but I don't need any help in this area (my hubby will agree:)


Janice
 

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