Having a big and perky butt can boost your self-confidence, but how can you grow your glutes if you don’t have much to work with? Luckily, you can start by doing simple butt-building exercises 3 times a week and adjusting your eating habits. For quicker results, you can choose clothing and shapewear that creates the illusion of a fuller butt. Keep reading for the best exercises, diet changes, and styling tricks to grow your butt!
How to Make Your Butt Bigger: Effective Exercises
Consistent exercise that targets your glute muscles is key to getting a bigger butt. This includes glute bridges, squats, lunges, donkey kicks, single-leg deadlifts, hip thrusts, clamshells, and banded side-steps. Train your glutes at least 3 days a week, with a rest day in between to let your muscles rest and recover.
Steps
Best Exercises for a Bigger Butt
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Glute bridges Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor, extending your arms at your sides for stability. Tighten your glutes and core muscles, then press through your heels to lift your hips off the ground until your body forms a straight, bridge-like pose. Squeeze your glutes as tightly as you can in this position for 2 seconds before slowly lowering your hips back to the floor. Do 3 sets of 8-12 repetitions. [1] X Research source
- To do a bridge properly, keep your weight evenly distributed between your feet, shoulders, and upper arm area, and lift your chest to help stretch out your back.
Variation: Increase the intensity of your squats by adding weights using either dumbbells or a barbell . To use dumbbells, hold one in each hand, placing them at your waist or on your shoulders. If you're using a barbell, balance it across your shoulders.
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Bodyweight squats Stand up straight with your feet hip-width apart. Push your hips back and bend your knees, making sure your knees don’t go over your toes. Once you reach parallel (with your knees bent at a 90-degree angle), pause for 1-2 seconds, then squeeze your glutes and push through your heels, straightening your legs to return to your starting position. Complete 3 sets of 20 reps. [2] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- If you want to switch up your routine and strengthen your glutes, try a split squat or weighted squat .
- Squats target your glutes, quads, and hamstrings, which can “add more lean muscle to your body” and “make your butt look bigger,” according to certified personal trainer Danny Gordon.
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Jumping squats Place your feet shoulder-width apart and straighten your back, lowering your body until your thighs are parallel to your knees. Then, push through your toes to rise and explode off the floor into a jump, reaching both arms overhead to help with momentum. Land on your feet in your starting position and immediately go into the next repetition. Do 3 sets of 8-12 reps. [3] X Research source
- Remember to keep your knees soft throughout the exercise and sit back into the squat (instead of squatting straight down).
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Lunges Stand with your back straight and your feet hip-width apart. Take a big step forward with your right foot to enter a staggered stance, lowering your body until your right knee is at a 90-degree angle. Make sure your right knee doesn’t go past your toes, and keep your left leg parallel to the ground. Pause for 1-2 seconds, then push through your left heel to return to your starting position. Complete 3 sets of 20 reps. [4] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Alternate knees after every lunge or complete all of your reps for 1 leg, then switch to your other leg.
Variation : Do explosive lunges by standing with your feet together with your hands on your hips. Lunge forward with your right leg, then jump as you come up from the lunge, switching your legs in midair and landing in a lunge with your left leg forward. [5] X Research source
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Donkey kicks Get onto your hands and knees, with your hands under your shoulders and your knees under your hips. Make sure your back is straight and your legs are bent at 90-degree angles. Lift your right leg off of the floor, keeping it at a 90-degree angle, and squeeze your glutes and raise your leg as high as you can. Then, lower your leg back to the starting position. Do 3 sets of 8-12 reps. [6] X Research source
- To make donkey kicks harder, you can add ankle weights to your lower legs or place a looped band around your knees to add resistance.
Variation: Do kickbacks while standing tall with your feet hip-width apart. Lift one leg off the ground and kick it behind you, then tighten your glutes as you pull your leg back. Release your glutes as you lower your leg back to the floor.
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Single-leg deadlifts Stand up straight with your feet hip-distance apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand and placing your hands in front of your thighs. Engage your abs and bend your knees a little bit while folding forward at the waist. As you hinge your hips, keep your back straight and let the weights drop down in front of you, with your palms facing each other. Hinge slowly until your left leg is parallel to the floor, then lift back up into the starting position. Do 3 sets of 15 reps on each leg. [7] X Research source
- You can also do a deadlift with a barbell to build your glutes. Just make sure you do not attempt it with a barbell that is too heavy for you.
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Hip thrusts Lean against a steady couch or bench with your shoulder blades, keeping your knees bent and your feet hip-width apart, flat on the floor. Then, push through your feet to lift your hips off the ground, raising your hips to the height of your shoulders and using your glutes to power the thrust. Hold this position for 1-2 seconds before slowly lowering your butt to the floor. Do 3 sets of 8-10 reps. [8] X Research source
- To increase the difficulty of this exercise, place a barbell at the top of your thighs (so it rests on your hips).
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Clamshells Lie down on your side with your knees bent and your legs stack on top of each other. Wrap a resistance band around both thighs, and support your head with your bottom arm. Slowly lift your top knee as far as you can, opening your legs like a clamshell. Hold for one second, then slowly lower your leg back to complete one rep. Do 2 sets of 12 reps on each side. [9] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Don’t let your hip tilt back when you lift your knee. It may help to place your top arm at the back of your hip to keep your hips straight.
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Banded side-step Stand shoulder-width apart with your knees slightly bent, and loop a resistance band around your ankles. Step one leg out far enough until you feel resistance in your thighs, repeating this step 10 times. Then, repeat this process on the other side. Complete 3 sets of 10 reps on each side. [10] X Research source
- Remember to keep your hips square, and do not twist your hips.
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Step up knee lifts Stand with your back straight about 1 foot (0.30 m) in front of a sturdy box with your knees hip-width apart. Step up onto the box with your right leg, then bring your left leg up toward your chest into a knee lift before lowering it back to the floor. Step off the box and return to your starting position to complete one repetition. Repeat this on the opposite leg, and do 3 sets of 8-12 reps on each side. [11] X Research source
- To burn even more calories, keep the movement quick and do 30-second to one-minute sets.
Cardio Exercises for a Bigger Butt
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Climb stairs to build your butt and increase your heart rate. Climbing stairs is a great way to work your entire lower body, including your glutes. Plus, it increases your heart rate, so it's a good cardio exercise. Use a stair climber machine or walk up and down flights of stairs, moving for the entire duration of your workout. [13] X Research source
- For instance, if your goal is to do 30 minutes of cardio each day, you'd climb the stairs continuously for 30 minutes.
Variation: Run or jog up the stairs to increase the intensity of your workout.
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Set your treadmill on an incline. Walking and jogging both work your rear on their own, but you'll see more noticeable results if you're working on an incline. When you're walking on an elevation, your glutes are more engaged. Raise the incline on your machine as high as you can while still maintaining proper form. [14] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public Go to source
- Don't raise the platform so high that you have to hold on. It's best to pump your arms as you walk or jog to increase the workout.
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Take a brisk walk or jog around a hilly area. When you walk up a hill, you're activating your glutes, which can make your butt look bigger. Bring your cardio workout outdoors to an area with natural hills or man-made inclines, then do a brisk walk or jog for 20-30 minutes to work your glutes.
- You can wear a weighted vest to increase the intensity of your workout.
- Find other tips to enhance your figure at the wikiHow forum post, "What's the fastest way to get a bigger butt?"
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Play a recreational sport to build your leg and glute muscles. Many sports include movements that naturally enhance your rear. Additionally, sports are a great way to meet your cardio goals. Pick a butt-boosting sport that you enjoy playing to get results while having fun. Here are some great options:
Changing Your Diet for a Bigger Butt
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Get 35% of your calories from lean protein to help build muscle. Choose protein sources like poultry, fish, soy, meat-replacement products, beans, legumes, nuts, and low-fat dairy. [15] X Trustworthy Source EatRight.org Organization associated with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics providing advice about food, health, and fitness Go to source Include a protein source with every meal and snack so that your body consistently receives protein throughout the day. This will help your body rebuild its muscles. [16] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public Go to source
- According to personal trainer and nutritionist Laura Flinn, good sources of lean protein include “chicken, turkey, eggs, lean beef, fish, whey protein powder, and Greek yogurt.”
- To calculate how many grams of protein you need, multiply the number of calories you're eating by 35%. Then, divide by 4, which is the number of calories in a gram of protein. For example, if you eat 2,000 calories per day, you would multiply 2,000 x 35% = 700. Then, divide 700/4 = 175, meaning you need 175 grams of protein per day.
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Make sure 40% of your calories are complex carbohydrates. Your body uses carbs to fuel your activity, but all carbs aren't equal. [17] X Trustworthy Source EatRight.org Organization associated with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics providing advice about food, health, and fitness Go to source Complex carbs like those found in vegetables and whole grains break down slowly, so they provide steady fuel and don't spike your blood sugar. On the other hand, simple carbs like sugar, processed grains, and baked goods spike your blood sugar and burn quickly. Get your carbs from vegetables, whole grains, and some fruits. [18] X Research source
- You could mix oats into your yogurt, eat a salad for lunch, snack on apple slices, or eat quinoa with roasted veggies as a side dish at dinner.
- To find out how many carbs you need, multiply the number of calories you're eating by 40%, then divide by 4, which is the amount of calories in 1 gram of carbs. If you eat 2,000 calories, multiply 2,000 x 40% = 800. Then, divide 800/4 = 200. You need 200 grams of carbs each day.
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Get 25% of your calories from healthy fats. Your body also needs healthy fats to maintain your health and rebuild your muscles. Add healthy fats to your diet by consuming olive oil, canola oil, almonds, pistachios, walnuts, avocado, and fatty fish, such as salmon, trout, sardines, halibut, and mackerel. [19] X Trustworthy Source EatRight.org Organization associated with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics providing advice about food, health, and fitness Go to source
- You could sprinkle crushed walnuts over your yogurt at breakfast, use an olive oil dressing on your salad at lunch, eat almonds as a snack, or cook your dinner using olive oil or canola oil.
- To find out how much fat you need daily, multiply the number of calories you eat by 25%, then divide by 9 because each gram of fat contains 9 calories. If you eat 2,000 calories per day, multiply 2,000 x 25% = 500. Then, divide 500/9 = 55.5, which means you need about 55 grams of fat per day.
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Drink at least 11.5 cups (2,700 mL) of fluids daily to stay hydrated . Generally, men should drink 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids per day, while women should aim for 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluid per day. [20] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source Increase your fluid intake by drinking more water , tea, smoothies, or sports drinks. Additionally, snack on fruits and veggies that contain water, such as cucumbers, celery, watermelon, celery, peaches, and green grapes. [21] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public Go to source
- If you dislike drinking plain water, add cucumbers, strawberries, lemons, limes, or fresh herbs for flavor.
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Add more whole foods to your diet and avoid processed foods. Processed foods and drinks, such as fast food, soda, milkshakes, chips, candy, desserts, and baked goods, are full of empty calories. To reach your fitness goals, stick to a healthy balanced diet that incorporates various food groups. A balanced meal includes: [22] X Research source
- ½ plate of fruits and vegetables
- ¼ plate of whole grains
- ¼ plate of lean protein
Choosing Clothes That Enhance Your Butt
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Try butt-enhancing shapewear for an instant boost. Purchase underwear with built-in padding , or use butt pads that slip into your normal underwear. Try different sizes of padding to find the look you prefer. Then, wear it under your clothing whenever you want the look of a bigger butt. [23] X Research source
- You can try to make your own padding by using foam or stuffing used to fill pillows and quilts.
- Alternatively, buy butt-enhancing jeans or leggings with built-in padding, or wear shapewear that’s designed to compress your thighs and stomach, while still lifting and separating your butt cheeks.
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Choose tight pants with small, wide-set pockets. The right pair of pants can make your butt look perkier and rounder, so try on a few pairs to see which one looks the most flattering on you. Pick fitted pants with pockets that angle slightly inward, making sure the pockets are located on the fullest part of your butt. Wide-set pockets draw the eye outward, giving you the illusion of a fuller booty. [24] X Research source
- If you want to add more volume to your backside, look for pants with pocket flaps, studs, jewels, or other embellishments.
- Opt for high-waisted pants to highlight your waist, pairing them with a cropped, fitted, or tucked-in top, or choose a curvy skinny jean for a figure-flattering shape.
- Clothing with horizontal color blocking can make you look curvaceous, especially if the color change is located right underneath your butt. This pattern draws the eye down from the waist to the butt, giving you instant volume. [25] X Research source
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Cinch your waist with a belt. Wearing a belt at the narrow part of your waist can create the illusion of a bigger butt because it accentuates the difference between your waist, hips, and butt. To create this effect, place your belt over any shirt or dress, then tighten it along your natural waistline. This draws attention to the smallest part of your waist, giving you a curvy, hourglass figure. [26] X Research source
- This trick works best with a long top, blouse, or dress.
- If you’re slim, try a thin or medium-sized belt to compliment your frame.
- If you’re curvier, play around with a thicker belt to give you an extra snatched waistline.
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Wear high heels to enhance your figure. Heels naturally alter the curve of your spine, making your legs look longer and your butt slightly larger. They also flex your calves to give you the illusion of toned legs, which may trick people into believing you have a strong butt. Choose heels that feel comfortable and allow you to walk normally (but still give you an extra pep in your step). [27] X Research source
- Wider, closed-toe heels provide more balance and ankle support, and they still look incredibly stylish.
- If you’re not used to walking in heels, start with a small heel of about 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm), then work your way up.
Get a Bigger, Sexier Butt with this Expert Series
Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat exercises strengthen your buttocks?Laila Ajani is a Fitness Trainer and founder of Push Personal Fitness, a personal training organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 13 years as a trainer and exercise specialist, Laila has expertise in competitive athletics (gymnastics, powerlifting, and tennis), personal training, distance running, and Olympic lifting. Laila is certified by the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA), and USA Powerlifting (USAPL), and she is a Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES).There are a lot of exercises that can strengthen your glutes and hips. Some of the most effective exercises for those areas include barbell or dumbbell deadlifts, glute bridges, and back squats. However, consider working with a trainer to ensure you're exercising safely, because you run a little more risk of injury if you're not performing them in the right positions.
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QuestionIf you are very slim, can you still build a butt safely and be able to see the improvements?Michele Dolan is a Fitness Trainer based in Sidney, British Columbia. She has been a personal trainer and fitness instructor since 2002, and was certified as a Personal Trainer by the British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA). Michele is also a Registered Clinical Counselor, and uses her 20+ years of fitness coaching experience to help clients understand their mind-body connection. She is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and Certified Clinical Counsellor (CCC), certified by the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. In her work, Michele uses the tools of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectic Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. She practices and teaches mindfulness and acceptance in all of her coaching work. She holds a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology.The buttocks are muscle so yes, with proper exercise and diet, you can build muscle size in your buttocks. Try jumping exercises and make sure you consume enough protein as well as carbs and fat calories every day.
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QuestionIn regards to step five of method one, when I eat, my weight doesn't go anywhere! I have extreme difficulty putting on weight even though I eat and I'd like to get curvier. How do I get those dream curves if my body won't let me!?Michele Dolan is a Fitness Trainer based in Sidney, British Columbia. She has been a personal trainer and fitness instructor since 2002, and was certified as a Personal Trainer by the British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA). Michele is also a Registered Clinical Counselor, and uses her 20+ years of fitness coaching experience to help clients understand their mind-body connection. She is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and Certified Clinical Counsellor (CCC), certified by the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. In her work, Michele uses the tools of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectic Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. She practices and teaches mindfulness and acceptance in all of her coaching work. She holds a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology.Start counting the calories. Just like losing weight, gaining weight can only be achieved by keeping track of the calories consumed and adjust accordingly. It is just as difficult as losing weight, but with perseverance, and careful meal planning you can gain weight. One tip many people use is consuming meal replacement shakes between meals, as a snack.
Video
Tips
- Wearing a short, fitted skirt can also make your butt look bigger, since it draws the eye upward. Try wearing a bodycon, A-line, or high-waisted pleated skirt to add volume to your backside.Thanks
- No matter the size of your butt, embrace your body and wear clothes that make you feel good. Confidence is the key to attractiveness, and even a simple shift in posture can make you appear more sexy—lift your head, push your shoulders back, and arch your back slightly!Thanks
Tips from our Readers
- If you're new to doing squats, watch some instructional videos before trying them yourself. It's important to have good form when doing squats or you could hurt your back or knees.
- To make your butt look bigger in a photo, arch your back, tilt your shoulders toward the camera, and hold your stomach in.
References
- ↑ https://blog.nasm.org/how-to-do-a-glute-bridge
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/multimedia/squat/vid-20084663
- ↑ https://homeworkouts.org/exercise/jump-squats/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/multimedia/lunge/vid-20084662
- ↑ https://www.gymless.org/lunges/
- ↑ https://www.hingehealth.com/resources/articles/donkey-kicks/
- ↑ https://www.mountaineers.org/blog/peak-fitness-single-leg-deadlift-open-book-t
- ↑ https://www.hingehealth.com/resources/articles/hip-thrust/
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/should-you-try-resistance-bands-for-strength-training
- ↑ https://totalback.com/blog/side-stepping-with-exercise-band-for-hip-pain/
- ↑ https://hw.qld.gov.au/blog/exercise/step-up-knee-lifts-2/
- ↑ https://greatist.com/fitness/does-running-make-your-butt-bigger
- ↑ https://hr.duke.edu/wellness/exercise-fitness/take-stairs/benefits-taking-stairs
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/get-smart-about-treadmills
- ↑ https://www.eatright.org/fitness/training-and-recovery/building-muscle/strength-building-and-muscle-mass
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/muscle-pain-from-exercise-protein-drinks-offer-little-help
- ↑ https://www.eatright.org/fitness/training-and-recovery/building-muscle/strength-building-and-muscle-mass
- ↑ https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/carbohydrates/
- ↑ https://www.eatright.org/fitness/training-and-recovery/building-muscle/strength-building-and-muscle-mass
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/using-food-to-stay-hydrated
- ↑ https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/healthy-eating-plate/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/RlhMxK-XaBg?t=149
- ↑ https://youtu.be/RlhMxK-XaBg?t=197
- ↑ https://beautifulbutt.com/16-fashion-decisions-make-butt-look-bigger-beautiful/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/RlhMxK-XaBg?t=49
- ↑ https://illumin.usc.edu/walking-in-high-heels-the-physics-behind-the-physique/
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23374-butt-augmentation
- ↑ https://www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org/procedure-learning-center/body-procedures/brazilian-butt-lift/
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/no-joke-your-desk-job-promotes-dead-butt-syndrome
- ↑ https://betterme.world/articles/how-long-does-it-take-for-your-butt-to-grow/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/exercise/art-20050999
- ↑ https://betterme.world/articles/how-long-does-it-take-for-your-butt-to-grow/
About This Article
The best way to make your butt bigger is to do butt-enhancing exercises and eat foods that promote muscle growth. Squats, lunges, bridges, and step-ups are all great butt exercises that will help your butt muscles get bigger. Do your butt workout 3 times a week, with a rest day between each workout so your muscles have time to heal and grow. Walking or running on an incline for 30 minutes every day is also a great way to work out your butt muscles. Another part of getting a bigger butt naturally is eating a balanced diet that promotes muscle growth. Aim to get 35% of your calories from lean protein, like poultry, fish, nuts, and soy, since protein is critical for growing bigger muscles. Get forty percent of your calories from complex carbs, like vegetables and whole grains. Your body needs carbs to fuel your workouts. Finally, get 25% of your calories from healthy fats, which your body needs to rebuild your muscles. You can get healthy fats by eating avocado, olive oil, walnuts, and fatty fish like salmon and trout. By eating a healthy diet and sticking with your butt workouts, you’ll start noticing results in no time. To learn more from our Personal Trainer co-author, like how to get a bigger butt by adjusting your diet, keep reading!
Reader Success Stories
- "Squats, leg lifts. Using my household stairs as a stepper, adding 5 lb dumb bells to the mix, plus Laura London stand-up abs on YouTube. Increased weight by 5 pounds, loving it! Hubby seems happy, too. Daily commitment required." ..." more