You know those go-to squats and lunges that you do across your living room floor? Well, adding some fitness equipment into that situation can make those go-to moves a bit more challenging. And—more importantly—help you gain more muscle right where you want it (your butt), says Albert Matheny, RD, CSCS, owner of the SoHo Strength Lab in New York City, and nutritional advisor for Promix Nutrition.
In addition to reaching peach emoji status, adding variety “is also important for joint health as well as building strength and stability,” says Matheny. Yeah, that sounds boring and maybe off-topic, but those are just extra reasons to invest in some equipment you’ll love to hate.
Don’t blame me if the world demands you change your name to Ms New Booty after you start using the swag below.
1. IF YOU COULD USE SOME ELEVATION
Glute Bench, Dhs657 at BC Strength
Matheny has this bench on his list of must-haves to build that booty. It’s perfect for doing a ton of butt-plumping exercises like step-ups, elevated lunges, and hip thrusts.
2. IF YOU WANT SOMETHING EASY TO STORE
Booty Booster, Dhs233 at Amazon
Wrap one end around your ankle and one around your wrist before cranking out lunges, glute kickbacks, or squats. (It also works with any of these moves in our resistance band workout).
3. IF YOU NEED SOME WEIGHTS ANYWAY
Kettlebell Weights, Dhs126 at Square Dubai
Holding a kettlebell (or two kettlebells) adds extra oomph to lunges, squats, deadlifts, hip thrusters, and more. Use them just as you would use dumbbells.
Here’s how it’s done: Stand with your feet together and one kettlebell in your left hand. With a slight bend in your right knee, raise your left leg back behind you until it is slightly hovering off the ground. Straighten left your knee and flex that foot before hingeing at the hips to lower the weight toward the ground. Keep your spine tall and square hips and shoulders. That’s one rep. Do as many as you can (while maintaining your form) before switching to the other side.
One of Matheny’s favorites is the single-leg kettlebell deadlift.
4. IF YOUR FAVORITE EXERCISES ARE ON ALL FOURS
Pilates Ball, Dhs80 at Reebok
If you love you some floor werk, this ball makes moves like donkey kicks extra challenging. That’s because holding it between your calf and glutes as you raise your leg requires extra muscle. So you’ll feel ze burn even faster than usual.
5. IF YOU WANT SOMETHING CELEBRITY-APPROVED
Premium Booty Band, Dhs48 at Re-Spin
Yep, that is THE Halle Berry using this booty band, which is part of her line of fitness tools from her health and wellness brand, Re-Spin.
These mini bands are great for helping exercises like hip bridges, squats, and even lunges engage your butt. The resistance band forces your glutes to work extra hard to keep your knees apart. Wrap it just above your knees for major gains. (P.S. It’s perfect for this kick-ass butt workout.)
6. IF YOU LIKE TRENDY WORKOUTS
P.ball, Dhs220 at Revolve
The P.Volve workout was MADE for butts. And this is just one of their signature tools to achieve le booty goals. This one takes things to the next level by forcing your brain to focus on your inner thighs and glutes to hold the ball in place as you perform their patented moves. Reminds me of my cheerleading days in high school.
7. IF YOU WANT MORE VARIETY
8-in-1 Deep Squat Machine, Dhs136 at Dessert Cart
Yep, that is THE Halle Berry using this booty band, which is part of her line of fitness tools from her health and wellness brand, Re-Spin.
These mini bands are great for helping exercises like hip bridges, squats, and even lunges engage your butt. The resistance band forces your glutes to work extra hard to keep your knees apart. Wrap it just above your knees for major gains. (P.S. It’s perfect for this kick-ass butt workout.)
8. IF YOU NEED TO IMPROVE YOUR BALANCE
Balance Trainer, Dhs345 at Sun & Sand Sports
Whether you flip this over to balance on the hard surface or use the squishy side, you’ll engage all of those hip stabilizers in your core and glutes. Jump on and start squatting or prop up your back foot before cranking out stationary lunges.