The Only 2 Pilates Moves You Need to Sculpt Your Side Butt

If you've ever tried Pilates, you know it's great for your abs, but did you know your glutes count as part of your core?

"In my Pilates sessions, I place a particular emphasis on developing glute and abdominal strength," says Sylvia Roberts, Align Yoga and Pilates teacher on the Centr app. "It's from this core group of muscles that all energy is initiated and can then extend out to the extremities."

And that doesn't just help you perform better in your workouts. It translates to your everyday life, too. Your glutes help stabilize and align your pelvis to prevent lower-back pain and assist in propelling your body forward when walking, running and climbing stairs, she says.

While all three glute muscles — the gluteus maximus, medius and minimus — deserve love, it's the gluteus medius that warrants way more focus than you're likely giving it.

"The gluteus medius [most commonly known as the side butt!] is typically the most underdeveloped, so you'll find I concentrate on this area quite a bit in my sessions," Roberts says.

‌Watch the video below as Roberts demonstrates the two best side-butt Pilates moves to target your gluteus medius.‌

Here, she combines them into a quick, 7-minute workout that's perfect as a quick go-anywhere workout or glute burnout finisher for the end of leg day. But you can also sprinkle them throughout the day or add them to your favorite total- and lower-body workouts.