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There are a variety of strength training exercises that can help build mass and define both your butt and hips. The bridge exercise or butt lift is a great exercise to include that will recruit both your butt and hip muscles. Lay down on your back to start this exercise. Keep arms flat on the floor beside you and bend your knees into a 90 degree angle. Your feet should be flat on the floor. With your knees bent, press your pelvis up in the air pushing upwards with your glutes. Stop when your back is in a straight line. Hold this position for as long as you can. Slowly lower your butt back down to the ground and repeat this exercise a few more times. Squats are a classic exercise that can help tone your entire lower body. However, squats specifically recruit your glutes and hip muscles. Plus, with a few variations, you can really hone in on your hips. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and toes facing out at a 45 degree angle from your body. Squat deeply with your knees, keeping your back straight. Dip down until your thighs are almost parallel to the floor. Your butt should be pushed back out behind you. Hold your squat here for a few seconds and then push yourself back up to the standing position. Try to push using your glute muscles. To make squats more challenging, hold two dumbbells (one in each hand) or hold a barbell over your shoulders. To target your hips even more, add a side leg raise. When you come back up to your standing position, extend one leg straight out to the side. Alternate sides with each squat. Like squats, lunges are a classic move that target your butt and hips. The need to help you balance and be stable really requires strength from your hips. Stand up straight with your feet about hip width apart. While holding weights, step forward with your right leg about 3-4 feet. Dip down so that your right knee bends forward and your left leg knee drops to the floor. Lower down until your right thigh is parallel to the floor. Push back up to the starting position. Make sure to push back up with your right leg - not your left leg. Repeat on the other side and do about 8 lunges per side. A variation of lunges that can help target the hips in a different way are side lunges. Instead of stepping forward, step outwards to the side. Alternate between both legs. One particular exercise that really targets your hip muscles are side leg raises. Incorporate this exercise in addition to lunges, squats and bridges. Lay down on the floor your right side. Place your right arm so that your hand cradles your head and your upper arm is flat on the ground. Your left hand can rest on your hip or the ground in front of you. While tightening your abdominal muscles, slowly lift your left leg up into the air. Keep your leg perfectly straight and your toes flexed. Lift your leg as high as you can comfortably. Hold your leg in this position for a few seconds and then slowly lower back down. Repeat this move 8-10 times on the right leg. Then, roll over and repeat the same exercise on the right side.
Do bridges. Incorporate squats. Try doing lunges. Try side leg raises.