7 Best Gym Machines For Big Glutes (Ultimate Butt Workout)

7 Gym Equipment For a Bigger Butt (Grow Your Glutes)

There are two primary methods of working out the glute muscles.

The first is to use the same movements the muscles go through every day, but with an added resistance or extra step. 

Lunges, for example, can mimic daily walking but add an extra step of vertical push.

The second method is to target the glute specifically through non-traditional movements.

These are more effective in the short term but require extra muscle groups to perform. 

A glute kickback, for example, will incorporate the core, legs, and lower back. Let's look at the best gym machines for glute workouts. 

1. Cable Machine 

The cable machine may be the most underrated and underutilized machine for working the glutes. 

When you add an ankle cuff to the low pulley, you can perform several movements to target the glutes almost exclusively.

The ability to add more or less weight resistance will help you improve faster and under more control, as well.

For the most part, cable machine butt exercises with a low pulley will target the glutes, hamstrings, and lower back. 

Depending on the movement, you may also include the core muscles, too. 

With the cable machine, you can do leg extensions to focus on the gluteus maximus or hip abductions for the gluteus minimus. 

Other movements, like the squat leg press or squat abductor, can add more benefits to your overall workout with less time, too. 

2. Leg Press/Extension Machine 

For non-traditional movements, the leg press and leg extension machines work wonders. 

With these two units, you can get some of the best butt workouts in the entire gym.

The one downside is that proper form must be adhered to at all times to gain the benefits. Otherwise, you will focus on other muscle groups. 

With a leg press, you will focus on the gluteus maximus  and minimus as well as the hamstring and quadriceps. (2)

Adding weight to increase the resistance as you get stronger will also help you see more results. 

Changing the position of your feet can also put more or less focus as needed, which makes these two machines some of the best for lower body workouts.

You can see rapid results when used regularly and correctly, which only helps to keep you going back for more.

Related Article - Leg Press Vs Leg Extension

Our Favorite Leg Press Machine

3. Hamstring Curl 

The hamstring curl can be done using a couple of different machines.

You can adjust the pulley on a cable machine and use a bench to lay on, or use the leg curl machine and adjust for footing.

Either way, you have a great exercise that focuses on the hamstrings, glutes, and lower back. 

With a hamstring curl, you are doing a more traditional movement, like a squat, but with added resistance to increase output and strength.

By including the lower back and hamstring muscles, you also get the benefit of a more solid core and uniform growth. 

While these aren't the only exercises you should perform, they are an excellent addition to leg day.

Don't expect a lot of results with only the hamstring curl, but used in conjunction with a full glute workout, there are numerous benefits overall. 

Learn More - Best Home Gym Equipment For Leg Day

Our Favorite Leg Curl Machine

4. Hip Abduction Machine 

Hip abduction machines, also called thigh abductor machines, move horizontally instead of up or down.

They are a common piece of gym equipment and are mostly used by women.

These focus on the inner thigh and gluteus minimus and help you retain strength for heavy lifts, hiking, and overall stability. 

With the resistance on the outside of your legs, you push outward, spreading the legs while seated to engage the muscles.

You can adjust the resistance or weights as needed to get a varied workout. 

Like the hamstring curl, the hip abductor is not something to use once and only.

However, when used with a variety of other glute exercise machines, the results can be noticeable fairly quickly.

Our Favorite Cheap Hip Abduction Machine

5. Stair Climber/Stepper 

Stair climber machines mimic daily movement with the added resistance of vertical climbing.

They can engage several muscle groups, but the largest focus is on the hamstrings, quads, glutes, and core.

With this machine, like the leg press and leg lift, you need to practice proper form. For example, when trying to focus the glutes, you want to push down through your heel, not up from your back leg. 

Otherwise, you are just performing a cardio workout with no real glute benefits. 

Read More - Stair Master Vs Treadmill

Our Favorite Stair Climber

6. Indoor Cycling Bike 

One of the most overlooked glute workouts comes from riding a stationary, adjustable bike. However, to get the benefits of a total glute workout, you need to use it “correctly.” 

The idea with a bike for glute workouts is not to sit but to stand over the bike and pedal slowly and smoothly. 

Increase the resistance, so you have to force the pedals to move and stand over in a near-squat while riding. 

Not only will you target the gluteus maximus and minimus, but also the thighs, quads, and core. 

It is one of the few easy to perform multi-muscle group exercises that doesn’t require moving a lot of weight. 

Read Also - Exercise Bike Vs Stairmaster

Our Favorite Budget Stationary Bike

How To Easily Build Your Glutes (Effective Training Program)

With the proper workout regimen, you can increase strength, size, and stability of your thighs, glutes, and core muscle groups.

There are several benefits to focusing on these areas, as we have discussed. 

Along with a proper workout, though, you also need the right diet. (3)

Workouts take a lot of work and focus, and eating healthy and correctly are the biggest factors to your success. Once you have a meal plan down, you need the right workout. 

As with any major muscle group, proper rest is also important. You will need to ensure you have at least 24 hours off between working out the glutes.

It is advised that you work out your glutes only once or twice per week, though. 

As they also get workouts during other days, overworking them can be detrimental to your goals. 

One example of a gym glute workout looks like this: 

How To Choose Gym Equipment For Working Glute Muscles

If you are building a home gym, there are a few things you need to consider or keep in mind when selecting your equipment.

If you plan on focusing on your glutes, a good cable machine with adjustable pulleys will be your best bet.

Not only will a cable machine allow you to perform multiple workout exercises, but you can get several high-quality glute workouts without needing a lot of space or additional machines.

With standard barbells and free weights, you can also include a bench for offset lunges, split step squats, and hip extensions, too.

You can also use dumbbells to perform glute exercises as most people will have a set in their garage gym setup.

The main thing is to consider cost, space requirements, and multiple use equipment to save time and space.

With a proper home gym setup, you can get a complete glute workout any time you need. 

Common Glute Related Questions 

What gym equipment works on abs and glutes together? 

Cable machines, lunges, hip abductions, and stationary bike exercises can engage the glutes and the abdominal, or core, muscles simultaneously. While there will always be a more significant focus on one muscle group over the other, working out both simultaneously can save time, effort, and stamina. 

What gym equipment works on legs and glutes together? 

Leg lifts, leg curls, and barbell hip thrusts all work the glutes and legs together. Cardio movements like the stair climber and treadmill can work, too, as long as you have proper foot placement and perform the movements correctly.