Glutes are your primary muscles that extend and externally rotate your hip joint – an extremely important component of your mobility. Despite genetics playing a big role in the size of your derriere, many exercises can help strengthen your backside. Having strong glute muscles would mean a firm butt, which most people crave for.

According to experts, weak glutes also lead to various orthopedic conditions like lower back and knee pain.

The gluteal muscles are made of three groups that make up the buttock area - the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus. While the gluteus maximus is the most superficial and largest of the three makes up the bulk of the shape and form of the buttock and hip area, it is also involved in walking, running, or even sitting.

The glute minimus - the smallest of the glutes internally helps rotate your thigh and contributes to stabilizing the hip and pelvis. The glute medius lifts the thigh away from your body’s midline assisting in rotating the thigh inward and outward.

A few best glute exercises to build stronger glutes include:

Hip thrusts are the best ways to strengthen your glutes and hamstrings. The exercise can be performed with proper foot spacing and helps complete the full range of motion. You can easily start doing it by first resting your shoulder blades against a secured bench and then sitting on the floor with your legs straight. Now place a barbell across the crease of your hips and place your hands around the bar. Slowly, bend your knees and drive your heels into the ground.

Make sure to push your pelvis upward by squeezing your glutes and always keep your torso parallel to the ground. Your knees should always be bent at a 90-degree angle, avoiding any pushing with your lower back. Gently bring the weights up and down with an aim to complete 5-6 reps of at least 3 sets.

These are full-body exercises, with stress on your glutes as you gently work your entire leg while walking forward.

Start by holding two dumbbells in your hands, carefully step the front leg forward into a lunge and bring the back leg's knee toward the ground, hovering just above. Slowly take a big step as the back leg now comes forward into a lunge. Keep alternating as you walk forward, lunging one leg at a time.

Known as the king of glute exercises, glute bridges can be easily performed with a dumbbell or even without any equipment. These completely engage your glutes, thigh, and core muscles.

To perform glute bridges, lie on your back with your knees bent and arms at your side. Make sure to keep your feet at least 12-16 inches away from your butt. Then slowly push your pelvis upward by squeezing your glutes. Ensure your chest does not lift during this movement. After holding for 2-3 seconds, lower your hips back to the ground and make sure to complete 8–10 reps of three sets.

For a firmer butt, it is important to train your body to do set-ups as a strength exercise. It is a safe and super effective way to practice hip extension as it helps activate your hamstrings, glutes, core, and stabilizers, which even increase your functional range of motion.

To do step-ups, stand in front of a bench or large step. Step on it while shifting your weight with the front leg. Then slowly lower yourself back down toward the floor. Repeat successive reps on the same side before switching.

This exercise gets its name from a donkey's hind leg action when it kicks backward. It specifically targets your gluteus - maximus and medius and can be completed without any equipment.

Start from a tabletop position with your spine neutral and core engaged. Keep your knee bent, lift your leg towards the ceiling with your foot flexed, and squeeze your glute on that side as your hip extends. Then, slowly back it down with control and repeat on the same leg for several reps before switching to the other side.

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