Description
A band hip lift is an exercise that primarily targets the glutes, with secondary emphasis on the hamstrings. It involves lying on the ground with a resistance band around the knees and lifting the hips towards the ceiling.
How to Do Band Hip Lift
- 1Setup
Lie supine on the floor with knees bent, feet flat on the ground about hip-width apart, and heels close to your glutes. Place a resistance band around both thighs, just above your knees.
- 2Setup
Ensure your lower back is pressed into the floor and your core is braced to maintain a neutral spine throughout the movement.
- 3
Drive through your heels and squeeze your glutes to lift your hips off the floor until your body forms a straight line from your shoulders to your knees. Actively push your knees outwards against the band's resistance.
- 4
Hold the top position for a brief moment, maximizing the glute contraction.
- 5
Slowly lower your hips back down to the starting position with control, maintaining tension on the band.
Tips
- Focus on initiating the movement by squeezing your glutes, not by arching your lower back or pushing through your calves.
- Maintain outward pressure on the band throughout the entire movement to keep tension on the gluteus medius and maximize glute activation.
- Imagine driving your heels into the floor as you lift your hips; this helps to engage the hamstrings and glutes more effectively.
- Control the eccentric (lowering) phase to maximize muscle time under tension, slowly lowering your hips rather than letting them drop.
Common Mistakes
- ×Arching the lower back instead of lifting with the glutes can cause lower back strain; fix this by posteriorly tilting your pelvis and bracing your core before lifting.
- ×Allowing the knees to collapse inward reduces glute activation; correct this by continuously pressing your knees out against the band's resistance.
- ×Not achieving full hip extension at the top limits glute engagement; ensure your hips are fully extended, forming a straight line from shoulders to knees.
Variations

Band Hip Flexion
Strengthen your hip flexors with the Band Hip Flexion. This exercise improves hip mobility, core stability, and athletic performance, using a resistance

Band hip adduction
Strengthen your inner thighs with band hip adduction. This exercise targets the adductor muscles, improving hip stability and lower body control.

Twist Hip Lift
Engage your glutes and obliques with the Twist Hip Lift, a dynamic bodyweight exercise that builds core strength, stability, and rotational power.

Band Deadlift
Strengthen your glutes, hamstrings, and lower back with the Band Deadlift. This effective resistance band exercise builds foundational hip hinge strength
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Band Standing Hip Extension
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Resistance Band One Leg Glute Bridge
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