How to Do Flutter Kicks
Start and end of one clean rep of Flutter Kicks.
Quick facts
| Primary muscle | Glutes |
|---|---|
| Secondary muscles | Hamstrings |
| Equipment | Bodyweight |
| Category | Strength |
How to perform Flutter Kicks
- On a flat bench lie facedown with the hips on the edge of the bench, the legs straight with toes high off the floor and with the arms on top of the bench holding on to the front edge.
- Squeeze your glutes and hamstrings and straighten the legs until they are level with the hips. This will be your starting position.
- Start the movement by lifting the left leg higher than the right leg.
- Then lower the left leg as you lift the right leg.
- Continue alternating in this manner (as though you are doing a flutter kick in water) until you have done the recommended amount of repetitions for each leg. Make sure that you keep a controlled movement at all times. Tip: You will breathe normally as you perform this movement.
Muscles worked
- Glutes (primary): extends and stabilises the hip — the engine behind hinges, squats and sprints.
- Hamstrings (secondary): bends the knee and extends the hip through hinges and pulls.
Sets & reps by goal
| Goal | Sets × reps | Load | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | 3–5 × 3–5 | Heavy (~85%+) | 2–3 min |
| Hypertrophy | 3–4 × 8–12 | Moderate (~65–75%) | 60–90 s |
| Endurance | 2–3 × 15–20 | Lighter (~50–60%) | 30–45 s |
Bodyweight movement: once you own the top of a rep range, progress by slowing the tempo, pausing at the hardest point, or moving to a harder variation instead of adding load.
Form tips
- Finish each rep by squeezing the glutes and standing fully tall, without over-arching the back.
- Own the largest range you can control with clean form before you chase extra reps.
- Treat every rep the same — a repeatable setup and bar path is what lets you add weight safely over time.
- Control the lowering phase — a 2–3 second descent builds more than dropping the weight.
Common mistakes
- Turning a hip hinge into a squat and losing the stretch on the glutes.
- Cutting the range short to squeeze out extra reps instead of owning each full one.
- Chasing weight jumps before the current load feels solid on every rep.
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does Flutter Kicks work?
Flutter Kicks mainly works the glutes, with the hamstrings helping as secondary movers.
What equipment do I need for Flutter Kicks?
None — Flutter Kicks is a bodyweight movement, so you only need your bodyweight and a little space.
How many sets and reps should I do for Flutter Kicks?
It depends on your goal: about 3–5 sets of 3–5 heavy reps for strength, 3–4 sets of 8–12 for muscle growth, or 2–3 sets of 15–20 for endurance. Bodyweight movement: once you own the top of a rep range, progress by slowing the tempo, pausing at the hardest point, or moving to a harder variation instead of adding load.
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