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Muscle Atlas

Glutes

Gluteus maximus / medius

Gluteus maximus and medius have different roles around the hip and pelvis.

Hip-hinge, squat and abduction patterns complement each other.

Open in interactive Muscle Atlas

Training-relevant regions

These labels help with training navigation. They are not presented as completely isolated muscles.

Exercises for this area

The selection is curated around training roles. It is not a ranking or a claim that one exercise is optimal for everyone.

Classic exercises

Back Squat

Barbell

Established

Classic exercises

Leg Press

Machine

Well supported

Classic exercises

Romanian Deadlift

Barbell

Established

Classic exercises

Hip Thrust

Barbell · Bench

Well supported

Classic exercises

Farmer Carry

Dumbbells

Well supported

Isolation exercises

Cable Hip Abduction

Cable

Well supported

Classic exercises

Rack Pull

Barbell

Well supported

Classic exercises

Deadlift

Barbell

Established

Classic exercises

Back Extension

Bodyweight

Well supported

Isolation exercises

45-Degree Back Extension

Bodyweight

Well supported

Isolation exercises

Reverse Hyperextension

Machine

Limited direct evidence

Bodybuilding Classics

Good Morning

Barbell

Bodybuilding Classic

Classic exercises

Bulgarian Split Squat

Dumbbells · Bench

Established

Classic exercises

Glute Bridge

Bodyweight

Well supported

Classic exercises

Step-Up

Dumbbells · Bench

Well supported

Classic exercises

Sumo Deadlift

Barbell

Well supported

Isolation exercises

Cable Glute Kickback

Cable

Well supported

Isolation exercises

Machine Glute Kickback

Machine

Well supported

Bodybuilding Classics

Frog Pump

Bodyweight

Bodybuilding Classic

Bodybuilding Classics

Barbell Glute Bridge

Barbell

Bodybuilding Classic

Classic exercises

Front Squat

Barbell

Established

Classic exercises

Hack Squat Machine

Machine

Well supported

Classic exercises

Goblet Squat

Dumbbells

Well supported

Classic exercises

Pendulum Squat

Machine

Well supported

Bodybuilding Classics

Barbell Hack Squat

Barbell

Bodybuilding Classic

Classic exercises

Glute-Ham Raise

Bodyweight

Well supported

Bodybuilding Classics

Stiff-Legged Deadlift

Barbell

Bodybuilding Classic

Classic exercises

Cossack Squat

Bodyweight

Well supported

Classic exercises

Side Lunge

Dumbbells

Well supported

Bodybuilding Classics

Wide-Stance Leg Press

Machine

Bodybuilding Classic

Classic exercises

Lateral Step-Up

Dumbbells · Bench

Well supported

Isolation exercises

Side-Lying Hip Abduction

Bodyweight

Well supported

Isolation exercises

Hip Abduction Machine

Machine

Well supported

Bodybuilding Classics

Clamshell

Bodyweight

Bodybuilding Classic

Bodybuilding Classics

Fire Hydrant

Bodyweight

Bodybuilding Classic

Classic exercises

Front Plank

Bodyweight

Established

Classic exercises

Bird Dog

Bodyweight

Established

Isolation exercises

Superman Raise

Bodyweight

Well supported

Classic exercises

Air Squat

Bodyweight

Established

Classic exercises

Bodyweight Reverse Lunge

Bodyweight

Established

Classic exercises

Bodyweight Split Squat

Bodyweight

Established

Classic exercises

Pistol Squat

Bodyweight

Well supported

Isolation exercises

Sliding Leg Curl

Bodyweight

Well supported

Classic exercises

Single-Leg Glute Bridge

Bodyweight

Well supported

Isolation exercises

Donkey Kick

Bodyweight

Well supported

Classic exercises

Bodyweight Side Lunge

Bodyweight

Well supported

Classic exercises

Bodyweight Sumo Squat

Bodyweight

Well supported

Bodybuilding Classics

Zercher Squat

Barbell

Bodybuilding Classic

Bodybuilding Classics

Jefferson Squat

Barbell

Bodybuilding Classic

Classic exercises

Wall Sit

Bodyweight

Well supported

Bodybuilding Classics

Clean and Press

Barbell

Bodybuilding Classic