Want a stronger, rounder, and more sculpted butt without spending hours at the gym? You’re in luck! These 7 powerful glute exercises will help you build a firmer, perkier backside—all from home, with minimal or no equipment required.
The secret to a better butt isn’t just doing squats over and over again. It’s about hitting your glutes from different angles, activating underused muscles, and building strength where it matters most. 7 Best Glute Exercises to Sculpt Your Butt Fast:
1 – Glute Activation with Ball (Prep Exercise)

Target: Glutes, hip muscles
How to do it:
- Lie face down and place a small ball or pillow under your less dominant hip.
- Use your arms to lift your upper body slightly.
- Move your hips back and forth over the ball to massage and activate the glute muscles.
- Add a leg extension by lifting and lowering one leg out to the side after each pass.
Why it works: Wakes up your glutes before other exercises so they fire properly during your workout.
2 – Side Leg Raise (Leg Extension)

Target: Gluteus medius (outer glute), hip abductors
How to do it:
- Lie on your side with your elbow supporting your head.
- Lift your top leg straight up to a 45-degree angle—keep your torso still.
- Hold briefly at the top, then slowly lower back down.
Reps: Do 10–15 reps per side.
3 – Curtsy Lunge

Target: Glutes, hamstrings, quads
How to do it:
- Stand tall with feet together.
- Step your right foot diagonally behind your left leg.
- Bend both knees to lower into a curtsy-style lunge.
- Push through your heel to return to standing.
- Repeat on the other side.
Reps: Do 10 to 15 reps on each leg.
4 – Lateral Jump Side Steps

Target: Glutes, thighs, cardiovascular system
How to do it:
- Stand next to a jump rope or imaginary line.
- Slightly squat and hop sideways over the line, landing on one foot.
- Bend your knees as you land to absorb impact.
- Hop back in the opposite direction and continue.
Reps: Do this 15 times (back and forth).
5 – Kettlebell Swing (or Dumbbell Swing)
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Target: Glutes, hamstrings, core
How to do it:
- Hold a kettlebell or dumbbell in front of you with arms extended.
- Hinge at the hips, keep your back flat, and bend your knees slightly.
- Swing the weight forward using your glutes—not your arms.
- Let the weight swing back between your legs and repeat.
Reps: 15–20 swings.
6 – Lateral Band Steps (Monster Walks)

Target: Outer glutes, hip stabilizers
How to do it:
- Place a resistance band just above your knees.
- Get into a half-squat position and take 10–12 steps to the left, then to the right.
- Keep your chest up, spine neutral, and don’t let your knees cave in.
Why it works: This targets the often-neglected glute medius and improves hip stability and shape.
7 – Hip Drive (Kneeling Hip Thrust)

Target: Glutes, hamstrings
How to do it:
- Start on your hands and knees.
- Sit back onto your heels, bringing your butt toward your ankles.
- Engage your glutes and slowly lift your hips to come back to a kneeling position.
- Lower back down with control.
Reps: Do this 15 times.
You don’t need fancy machines or hours in the gym to sculpt a strong, shapely backside. With just a few minutes a day and these 7 effective glute exercises, you can build the butt you’ve always wanted—without ever leaving home.