3 Trainer-Approved Moves to Give You Your Best Butt

When I first moved to San Francisco, I signed up for a class called Best Butt Ever at Equinox. I had no idea what to expect, but I was sold on the name alone. Who doesn't want the best butt ever?!

I immediately fell in love with the tush-targeting conditioning class, and the class's instructor, wellness coach Caroline Jordan. Caroline brings an unparalleled energy to the studio, and through every will-power-testing move, squat, leg lift, and cardio sequence, she reminds you (not so subtly) to tell yourself, "MY BUTT LOVES ME," as you press on through the burn.

She also emphasizes the importance of training your glutes and your rear not for aesthetics, but for your general health. As a proponent of gluteal health, Jordan encourages her students and clients to "wake up their butt" to reduce fatigue and back pain, protect the knee joints, and create overall strength.

Jordan is letting us share a sneak preview of her Best Butt Ever class, with three booty-burning bodyweight exercises you can do right at home. After you try these three moves, Jordan says to "notice how your body feels when you give it a little bit of movement, strength, energy, and power."

Single Leg Squat

• Stand with feet hip-distance apart and raise the right leg, flexing the right ankle and pushing the hips back.
• Lower the body while keeping the right leg raised (a squat with one leg).
• Hold and then return to standing. You can use a bench to squat/sit on to work your way towards doing the single leg squat if needed.
• Keep the knees behind the toes and the heels firmly on the floor.

Hip Bridge

• Lay on your back with the knees bent and feet hip-width apart.
• Place arms at your sides and lift up the spine and hips.
• Slowly bring the hips back down, then lift back up.
• Try to do 10-20 reps, or try 10 reps of single leg hip bridge with one leg in the air.
• Optional: squeeze a block between your knees to work your inner thighs even more.

Single Leg Toe Touch

• Start in a standing position with the feet together.
• Standing on the left leg, lift the right leg off the floor and bring the knee up towards the chest.
• Lean your upper body forward and reach your right leg out behind you.
• Bring the knee back up towards the chest and repeat.
• Perform 10-15 reps on one leg and then switch legs. Add variety by moving the arms in a running motion or bringing the arms close to the floor deepening the lunge.