Description
A strength exercise that targets the glutes by pushing up a barbell from the floor while laying on the back.
How to Do Barbell Glute Bridge (hands on bar)
- 1Setup
Position the barbell over your hips; padding is optional for comfort. Lie on your back with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor, hip-width apart, and heels close to your glutes.
- 2Setup
Roll the barbell so it rests across your hip crease, ensuring it is centered and stable. Grip the barbell lightly with your hands outside your hips for stability.
- 3
Brace your core, press through your heels, and lift your hips off the floor, driving the barbell upwards.
- 4
Extend your hips fully until your body forms a straight line from your shoulders to your knees, squeezing your glutes powerfully at the top.
- 5
Slowly lower the barbell and your hips back down with control, stopping just before your glutes touch the floor to maintain continuous tension.
Tips
- Adjust your foot placement: moving your heels closer to your glutes emphasizes glute activation, while moving them slightly further away can engage more hamstrings.
- Focus on driving through your heels and actively squeezing your glutes at the peak of the movement to achieve maximal hip extension and muscle contraction.
- Maintain a strong, braced core throughout the entire exercise to protect your lower back and enhance overall stability and power transfer.
- Control the eccentric (lowering) phase, resisting the weight as you descend, to maximize time under tension and stimulate greater muscle growth.
Common Mistakes
- ×Over-arching the lower back at the top indicates a lack of core control; fix this by tucking your pelvis slightly and bracing your abs to maintain a neutral spine.
- ×Not achieving full hip extension means you're missing out on glute activation; ensure you drive your hips high enough to create a straight line from your shoulders to your knees.
- ×Lifting primarily with the lower back or hamstrings rather than glutes can lead to discomfort; correct this by consciously initiating the movement by pressing through your heels and contracting your glutes.
Variations
Barbell Glute Bridge
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Dumbbell Glute Bridge
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