Create a taut, toned tush with butt lifting exercises that work your glutes, hamstrings and hip flexors. Making time for squats, plies, kickbacks and other moves at least twice a week can strengthen and reshape your bottom. While toning moves can't make your butt smaller, they can give you a more shapely backside in jeans or a bikini.
Plies
While we often think of plies as a ballet move, these exercises lift your butt and tone your thighs. Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width and toes pointing out. Lower your pelvis toward the floor as far as your are able with your hips and back straight. Hold and pulse into a deeper plie, then return slowly to standing. Take a wider stance and dip deeper into the exercise for an additional challenge.
Squats
Few of us liked squats in gym class, and they're no more fun now. They do tone and lift your bottom, giving you the backside you want. Stand with feet hip-width apart and lower, as if to sit in a chair. If you are unsure of your balance, lower yourself with your back against a wall for stability. Add a challenge to your squats by holding a stability ball between your hands in front of your body, or placing one between your back and a wall.
Lunges
Lunges and lunge variants work the butt, hip flexors and hamstrings. Step one leg forward, placing your weight on your heel. Lower your hips and pelvis into the lunge, focusing on this motion to get the most significant benefits for your butt, recommends "Fitness." Keep your knee behind your toes, stepping out farther if necessary. Repeat for the other leg. Deeper lunges or alternating lunges quickly can help to intensify this exercise.
Kickbacks
Kickbacks focus attention on that curve on your backside. Squat down, then lift one leg behind you, extending your arms to the front for balance. Hold and release, then repeat. Add an upper body component to this exercise by holding weights in each hand as you perform it. If you don't feel stable doing this move from a squat, kick your legs back, alternating legs while on your hands and knees on a mat, suggests "Good Housekeeping."
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