The Best Glute Exercises of 2025

Did you know glutes are one of the most important yet the most overlooked muscle group in your body? Many people focus on their legs, arms, and core in strength training–but end up forgetting the glutes. Don’t be one of them! Give your glutes the attention they deserve. 

Poor posture, lower back discomfort, and even a higher risk of injury can all follow from weak glutes. Conversely, strong and well-developed glutes can increase athletic performance, raise squat and deadlift strength, and help correct posture and general mobility.  In this post, we’ve compiled a list of the best glute exercises for 2025 to help you develop strong, well developed glutes. Let’s get that dream bod! 

Why Glute Training Matters

Glute training goes beyond appearances; while sculpted, firm glutes serve a greater good. Three basic muscles make up your glutes: the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus. Every one of these is absolutely important for hip mobility, stability, and power production. Daily motions including walking, sprinting, leaping, even standing straight depend critically on your glutes. 

Underdeveloped or weak glutes can cause muscular imbalances that force other muscle groups—including the hamstrings and lower back—to adjust. Pain and damage can result from this over time. Fitness trends in 2025 will still stress functional strength, athletic performance, and longevity. There has never been a better time to concentrate on your glutes as home workouts, glute activation routines, and creative training approaches become more common.  

The Best Glute Exercises of 2025

Let’s now explore the best glute exercises to develop definition, power, and strength.  

1. Barbell Hip Thrusts

Barbell hip thrusts remain among the best glute-focused exercises in 2025. It works the hamstrings and core for stability while aiming straight for the gluteus maximus.  

How to:

1. Sit on the floor with your upper back resting against a bench.
2. Roll a weighted barbell over your hips and plant your feet on the ground.   
3. Press through your heels and force your hips upward until your body creates a straight line from your shoulders to your knees.   
4. Squeeze your glutes at the peak and gently drop back down.   

2. Bulgarian Split Squat

The Bulgarian split squat is a fantastic single-leg exercise that strengthens the glutes, quadriceps, and hamstrings.  It also increases balance, stability, and unilateral strength.   

How to:

1. Stand a few feet in front of a bench and rest one foot behind yourself on the bench.   
2. Lower your body into a lunge stance by bending your front leg while keeping your torso straight.   
3. Push through your front heel to return to the starting position.   
4. Repeat on the opposite leg.   

3. Romanian Deadlift 

Focusing on the glute-hamstring link, the Romanian deadlift is among the best lower glute exercises. This activity improves hip hinge mechanics and increases the posterior chain strength.  

How to:

1. Start with holding a barbell or dumbbells with a minor knee bend.
2. Hinge at your hips, then drop the weights down your thighs until your hamstrings start to stretch.  
3. As you go back to standing, keep your back straight and work your glutes.  

4. Step-Ups

One basic but very powerful glute-building exercise is a step-up. Targeting the glutes, quads, and hamstrings, they strengthen single-leg endurance, coordination, and power.  

How to:

1. Place one foot on a sturdy bench or platform.
2. Push through your heel, then raise your body onto the platform such that your opposing knee reaches a 90-degree angle. 
3. Lower your back slowly then repeat on the other leg.  

5. Glute Kickbacks (Band or Cable)

Targeting the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius, glute kickbacks especially serve to shape and increase the glutes.  

How to:

1. Fasten one ankle with a resistance band or cable machine strap.  
2. Tightening your core, straight back your leg to squeeze your glutes at the top.  
3. Gradually go back to the beginning position. 
4. Repeat on the opposite side.  

6. Goblet Squat

A flexible squat variation, the goblet squat works the quadriceps and core in addition to stressing the glutes.  

How to:

1. Hold a kettlebell or dumbbell close to your chest and keep your feet shoulder-width apart.  
2. Squat down bending your knees and pushing your hips back.  
3. Maintain a good posture and keeping your chest up.
4. Press through your heels to get back to the beginning position.  

7. Lateral Bandwalks

Lateral Bandwalks are one of the most effective upper glute exercises. They target the gluteus medius, and increase hip stability and injury avoidance.  

How to:

1. Place a resistance band just above your knees or around your ankles.
2. Stand with your feet hip-width apart and lower into a slight squat.
3. Step sideways while keeping tension in the band and your knees aligned.
4. Move in one direction, then switch.

8. Sumo Deadlift

Emphasizing the glutes, hamstrings, and adductors, the sumo deadlift is a great lower-body exercise. The broad stance increases glute activation and makes more range of motion possible.  

How to:

1. Stand with your feet wider than shoulder-width apart, toes slightly turned out.
2. Grip the barbell with your hands inside your knees.
3. Drive through your heels and engage your glutes as you lift the weight.
4. Keep your chest up and back straight throughout the movement.

How to Maximize Your Glute Exercises

To get the best results from your glute workouts, keep the following tips in mind:

• Progressive Overload: Increase weight or resistance over time to challenge your muscles and promote growth. 
• Proper Form: To minimize injuries and maximize efficacy, concentrate on controlled motions and correct form.  
• Mind-Muscle Connection: Engage your glutes during every movement to guarantee maximal activation in your mind and form a connection.  
• Consistency: Train you rglutes two to to three times a week to clearly increase strength and shape.  

The Bottom Line

In a nutshell, the best glute exercises of 2025 guarantee well-rounded development by emphasizing strength, mobility, and stability.  Including these workouts into your routine can help you develop strong and well-defined glutes–whether your goals are to improve athletic performance, prevent injuries, or reach aesthetic ones.  

Feeling ready to advance your glute training? Visit Iron Orr Fitness. Collaborate with expert trainers to create a customized exercise program appropriate for your fitness goals!