We all know squats are a classic move for a great-looking butt. But guess what? There are other exercises that can fire up your glutes even better. This article gives you five exercises that give you stronger lower glutes and a perkier backside than squats ever could.

Add these moves to your gym or home workout, and you’ll notice how fast your lower glutes firm and your whole butt pops. Tips and form cues included, so you get the most out of your reps. Let’s get that peach-ready look without the same old squat!

The 5 Glute-Sculpting Exercises:

1 – One Leg Deadlift with Kettlebell

This exercise is perfect for your glutes, but it also engages your hamstrings and core. Here’s how to perform it:

  1. Hold a 20-pound kettlebell in your left hand and lift your right foot slightly off the ground. This is the starting position.
  2. Keeping your back straight, lean your entire upper body forward as you raise your right leg.
  3. Keep your right leg in line with your body. The kettlebell should be closer to the floor.
  4. With your back straight, return to the starting position. At this point, you have completed one rep.
  5. (If you want to make this workout more challenging, don’t touch the floor with your right leg during reps.)

Perform 3 sets of 15 reps on each leg.

2 – Curtsy Lunges

  1. Stand upright with your feet shoulder-width apart and your hands together at chest level. This is the starting position.
  2. Keeping your hips square, cross your left leg behind you and step back as you lower your left knee toward the floor. Your right knee should remain just above your right ankle.
  3. Pause for 2 seconds, then press into your right heel as you stand and return to the starting position.

Perform 3 sets of 15 repetitions on each side.

3 – Hydrants with Leg Extensions

  1. Start on all fours with your knees hip-width apart. This is the starting position.
  2. On your left side, lift your left knee and extend your left foot straight out to the side.
  3. Pause for 2 seconds before bending the knee back and returning the leg to the starting position.

Perform 3 sets of 20 repetitions on each side.

4 – Step-Ups

Walking up stairs is a great full-body workout, but stepping up on a bench is the perfect move for your glutes.

  1. Stand in front of your bench or chair and place your right foot in the middle of the seat.
  2. With your hands, hold a barbell behind your head, just above your shoulders. This is your starting position.
  3. Step up on the bench and bring your left knee forward and up.
  4. Lower back to the starting position, landing softly on your foot. Switch legs and repeat to complete one rep.

Perform 3 sets of 20 reps on each leg.

5 – Bear Plank Leg Lifts

  1. Begin in a plank position with shoulders stacked above wrists.
  2. Bend both knees slightly, then bend your right knee to 90 degrees. This is the starting position.
  3. Keeping your foot flexed, squeeze your glutes and raise your right heel toward the ceiling as high as you can.
  4. Pause for 2 seconds, then return your right knee to the starting position.

Perform 3 sets of 15 repetitions on each side.

So say goodbye to ineffective squats and hello to a stronger, rounder, more defined butt—with these butt exercises that actually work.