Bodyweight Glute Kickback

Beginner
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A bodyweight isolation exercise targeting the glutes through unilateral hip extension to build strength, stability, and mind-muscle connection; commonly used in warm-ups or glute-focused routines.

About Exercise

Equipment

Difficulty

2/5 • Beginner

Primary Muscle Groups

Glutes

Secondary Muscles

Hamstrings, Abs, Obliques

Accessory Muscles

Lower Back

Popularity Score

8

Goals

Hypertrophy
Stability
Endurance

Training Style

Calisthenics
Functional Training

Setup Requirements

Requires Rack

No

Requires Bench

No

Requires Spotter

No

Space Needed

Small

Noise Level

Low

Muscle Breakdown

Glutes

10/10

Glute Max, Glute Medius

Hamstrings

4/10

Abs

3/10

Obliques

3/10

Lower Back

2/10
Programming

Typical Rep Range

10-20 reps

Rest Between Sets

30-60 seconds

How to Perform

Position yourself on all fours on the floor or mat, with hands under shoulders and knees under hips, maintaining a neutral spine and engaged core.

  1. Brace your core and keep hips level.
  2. Bend one knee at 90 degrees and lift the leg off the floor.
  3. Squeeze the glute to drive the heel toward the ceiling until thigh is parallel to the floor.
  4. Pause at the top to maximize contraction.
  5. Lower the leg slowly back to the starting position without touching the floor.
  6. Switch sides after completing reps on one leg.

Coaching Tips

Form Cues

  • Squeeze glute hard
  • Keep core tight
  • Hips stay square
  • Neutral spine always
  • Controlled lift only

Breathing

Inhale as you lower the leg, exhale as you lift and squeeze the glute; brace core throughout.

Tempo

3-1-2

Range of Motion

From knee under hip to thigh parallel to floor, without arching the back or rotating hips.

Safety

Safety Notes

  • Avoid if acute lower back pain
  • Warm up hips and core first
  • Stop if discomfort in back or hips
  • Maintain neutral spine to prevent strain

Spotting

No spotting needed; self-supported bodyweight exercise.

Common Mistakes

  • Arching lower back
  • Using momentum to swing
  • Rotating hips
  • Letting knee touch floor
  • Poor mind-muscle connection

When to Avoid

  • Acute lower back injury
  • Hip impingement

Flexibility Needed

  • Adequate hip extension range
  • Ankle dorsiflexion for stability

Build Up First

  • Basic core engagement
  • Hip hinge awareness

Also known as

Donkey Kick, Quadruped Glute Kickback, Fire Hydrant Kickback

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