The Sandbag Glute Workout

The Sandbag Glute Workout

WARM UP
Stretch and Roll Out:
Calves
Hamstrings
Groin
Hips/Glutes
Back

WORKOUT

Complete 3-5 rounds of each circuit. Rest 30 seconds to 1 minute between rounds and 1-2 minutes between circuits.

CIRCUIT #1:
8-12 reps per side Zercher Side Lunge
8-12 reps per side Single Leg Glute Bridge Off Box

CIRCUIT #2:
8-12 reps per side Single Leg Deadlift
15-20 reps Reverse Hypers

CONDITIONING
Perform 3-5 rounds of the conditioning below. The exercise should be performed for 20 seconds with 40 seconds to 1 minute of rest between rounds.

20 seconds Pivoting Squat

COOL DOWN
Stretch and Roll Out:
Calves
Hamstrings
Groin
Hips/Glutes
Back

NOTES:

EXERCISE DESCRIPTIONS:

Zercher Side Lunge – Start standing with the sandbag up at your chest. Do not let the sandbag sink or you elbows drop toward the ground. Keep the sandbag up under your chin. Then step out to the side with one foot. Keep both feet pointing straight ahead as you sink down into the leg that stepped out. Sit your butt back as you bend the knee of the leg that stepped out. Keep the other leg straight as you sink into the side lunge. Make sure both heels stay down as you lunge. Do not lean forward too much. Keep your chest up and back flat. Then driving off the heel that stepped out, come back to standing. You should be able to drive right back up to standing without bending the other leg. If you can’t drive right back up to standing, the weight is too heavy or you lunged out too far. Beginners may want to start with just bodyweight and not lunge out as far.  Alternate lunges to each side until all reps are complete.
Single Leg Glute Bridge Off Box – Beginners should do a single leg bridge from the ground or even a two leg bridge if they can’t get their hips up as high with the single leg bridge. Intermediate exercisers may want to do a two leg glute bridge with their heels up on the box. The single leg glute bridge off the box is an advanced progression. To do the glute bridge off the box, place your heels on the box. Your butt should be right against the box. Bend your arms to 90 degrees with just your upper arm on the ground. Lift one leg up and point the toe toward the ceiling. Do not bend that leg or use it to help you bridge up. Drive through the heel on the box and press your hips up as high as you can. Squeeze your glutes and keep your core tight as you bridge up. Hold for a second or two and then lower down. Complete all reps on one side before switching.

single-leg-bridge-off-box
Single Leg Deadlift – For this move you can hold a sandbag in a couple of different ways. Beginners will want to hold the sandbag in both hands in front of them while more advanced exercisers may want to do a suitcase single leg deadlift, holding the sandbag in the opposite hand from the standing leg. The suitcase deadlift will force you to use your core more to prevent rotation. Whichever you do, use a weight that challenges you. Stand on one foot with the knee of that standing leg slightly bent. Hinge over at your hips, sweeping the other leg back toward the wall behind you. Pretend you are driving the heel of the lifted foot straight into the wall behind you. Lean forward with your upper body as you hinge forward, keeping the back nice and flat. Make sure that as you hinge, you are sitting into the heel of your standing leg. Do not lean forward and come up onto your toes. To stand back up, drive through the heel of your standing leg and squeeze your glute at the top. Try not to tap the other foot down at all or at least not till you are fulling standing. Complete all reps on one side before switching to the other leg.Beginners may also use a slider to help guide them and help them maintain balance. Place the slider under the leg to be “lifted.” But instead of lifting the leg off the ground, as you hinge over, you are going to slide the leg back on the slider. Keep your back flat and your standing leg bent. To stand back up, slide the slider back in as your torso comes back up.

sandbag-single-leg-deadlift
Reverse Hypers – Lie face down on a table, bench or box. Make sure your hips are right at the edge. Hold on to something in front of you if you want. Keep your upper body relaxed. Squeeze your legs together and point your toes out. Lift your legs to basically parallel to the ground, keeping your legs straight. Do not hyperextend your back and lift way higher than parallel. You do not want to feel this in your low back. Hold for 2-5 seconds and then lower down. Keep your core tight and really squeeze your glutes as you lift.

glute-activation-exercsie
Pivoting Squat – Hold the sandbag on the handles with your palms facing each other. Set your feet about shoulder-width apart, maybe a little bit wider. Pivot to the left, bringing the sandbag outside your knee. When you pivot, you are going to come up on the back toe (the right toe in this case) and bend both knees. You will then swing the sandbag up and around the front and pivot to the right. Bring the sandbag outside your right knee as you pivot your left toe so that you are lunging to the right. Move as quickly as possible pivoting from side to side. Beginners may want to “place” the sandbag on each side instead of swinging it to give them more control.

Kettlebell Build A Stronger Butt Workout

Kettlebell Build A Stronger Butt Workout

WARM UP
Stretch and Roll Out:
Calves
Hamstrings
Hips/Glutes
Back
Groin

WORKOUT

Complete 3-5 rounds of each exercise. Rest 1-2 minute between rounds of the exercise and 2-3 minutes between exercises.

REPS for Circuits 1 and 2:
5 reps for 5 sets if strength is your goal and you are a more advanced lifter.
8-12 reps for 4 sets if your goal is strength and weight loss and are intermediate to advanced.
12-15 reps for 3 sets if you are a beginner or recovering or working on endurance.

CIRCUIT #1:
Sumo Squat

CIRCUIT #2:
Single Leg Deadlift

CIRCUIT #3:
KB swings

REPS for Circuit 3:
10-20 reps for advanced with heavy weight
20-40 reps for beginner to intermediate with medium weight

COOL DOWN
Stretch and Roll Out:
Calves
Hamstrings
Hips/Glutes
Back
Groin

NOTES:

EXERCISE DESCRIPTIONS:

Sumo Squat – Set your feet up at least shoulder-width apart. Point your toes slightly out. Set one or two kettlebells down between your legs. They should be centered between your heels. Sit your butt back and hinge forward slightly, keeping your back flat. Grab the handles or handle and keep your arms straight as you sink into a wide squat. Pull the kettlebells off the ground and stand up nice and tall. Squeeze your glutes at the top. Then sit your butt back and hinge over to bring the kettlebell(s) back to the ground. Touch them down and then stand back up. Make sure you are driving up off your heels and not rounding your back. Do not lean to far forward. And make sure you sink your butt. This is not a straight leg pull.

sumo-squat
Single Leg Deadlift – For this move, you can hold dumbbells or kettlebells in each hand. You can also hold a single bell to make the move easier. Beginners should start with bodyweight. Use a weight that challenges you. Stand on one foot with the knee of that standing leg slightly bent. Hinge over at your hips, sweeping the other leg back toward the wall behind you. Pretend you are driving the heel of that foot straight into the wall behind you. Lean forward with your upper body as you hinge forward, keeping the back nice and flat. Make sure that as you hinge, you are sitting into the heel of your standing leg. Do not lean forward and come up onto your toes. To stand back up, drive through the heel of your standing leg and squeeze your glute at the top. Try not to tap the other foot down at all or at least not till you are fulling standing. Complete all reps on one side before switching to the other leg.

kettlebell-single-leg-deadlift
KB swings – Set the kettlebell down on the ground and slightly in front of you. Place your hands on the handle. Hinge over, bending your knees slightly and pushing your butt back as you lean forward. Keep your back flat. Then hike the kettlebell back between your legs like you would a football. Pull it back and up between your legs. Then squeeze your glutes and drive your hips forward as you stand up nice and tall. Pop your hips forward and propel the kettlebell up. Do not worry how high it goes. It shouldn’t go higher than your shoulders. Keep your glutes tight and wait for your forearms to connect with your hips before you hinge back over and bring the kettlebell back. The kettlebell should drive the movement. Do not lean forward and hinge over before the kettlebell comes back down. You want to maintain the connection between your hips and forearms to protect your low back. Also, don’t allow the kettlebell to sink low between your legs. You want the kettlebell up close to your crotch. Move quickly with the swings. When done with the 40 seconds, place the kettlebell back on the ground. Use as heavy a weight as you can handle.

kb-swing