How to Do Seated Glute

Seated Glute — start position demonstration photo
Start
Seated Glute — end position demonstration photo
End

Start and end of one clean rep of Seated Glute.

Quick facts

Primary muscleGlutes
Secondary musclesQuads
EquipmentBodyweight
CategoryStretching

How to perform Seated Glute

  1. In a seated position with your knees bent, cross one ankle over the opposite knee. Your partner will stand behind you. Now, lean forward as your partner braces your shoulders with their hands. This will be your starting position.
  2. Attempt to push your torso back for 10-20 seconds, as your partner prevents any actual movement of your torso.
  3. Now relax your muscles as your partner increases the stretch by gently pushing your torso forward for 10-20 seconds.

Muscles worked

  • Glutes (primary): extends and stabilises the hip — the engine behind hinges, squats and sprints.
  • Quads (secondary): extends the knee to drive squats, lunges and jumps.

Sets & reps by goal

GoalSets × repsLoadRest
Strength3–5 × 3–5Heavy (~85%+)2–3 min
Hypertrophy3–4 × 8–12Moderate (~65–75%)60–90 s
Endurance2–3 × 15–20Lighter (~50–60%)30–45 s

As a mobility drill, hold each position for 20–40 seconds (or move slowly for reps) rather than training it to a heavy 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.
  • Ease in until you feel mild tension, never pain, and breathe out as you sink a little deeper.
  • 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.
  • Bouncing into the stretch instead of holding it steadily.

Frequently asked questions

What muscles does Seated Glute work?

Seated Glute mainly works the glutes, with the quads helping as secondary movers.

What equipment do I need for Seated Glute?

None — Seated Glute is a bodyweight movement, so you only need your bodyweight and a little space.

How many sets and reps should I do for Seated Glute?

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. As a mobility drill, hold each position for 20–40 seconds (or move slowly for reps) rather than training it to a heavy load.

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