Improving the glutes!

**bekkybek** · 12-05-2010 09:10 AM

Hi ladies!

Just looking for some advice on the derriere-- although I'm trying to achieve overall weight-loss, I am perfectly accepting of the fact that I have, and will always have curves. In fact, I quite like my butt, and am looking for tricks/exercises to keep it. Exercises to lift and tone are wonderful, but anything that will take away from it (since it is by no means a behind made entirely from raw muscle), I'd like to avoid.
Thanks girls, and cheers to working with what you've got!!

**Hopeless Dork** · 12-05-2010 09:21 AM

Thing is bekky, spot reduction doesn't work. You can't diet and do cardio and pick and choose where the body will lose weight, it will do say based on genetics and a number of factors as far as where it pulls the fat from first. In other words... if you want that tummy to go, some of that butt may go with it. HOWEVER... you can work on building up the muscles of your butt so that even if some goes during your weightloss, you will be building back some firm muscle to keep your curves.

Squats-- there are so many variations of squats, with weights /without weights... you can youtube up some proper techniques for various versions.
Dead lifts -- again be sure to check out techniques
Stairclimbers, stair masters, they will help burn fat and tone your hiney at the same time.
Leg lefts, with and without weights, there are some great ones where you get on all fours with a dumbell placed behind your knee and you squeeze it into place and lift up, then to the side, then diagonally behind you, etc..you can probably find some lil video clips to show you proper techniques.

Sit ups burn calories... but they won't give you defined abs without first reducing body fat laying over the stomach. I have no idea what your fitness goals are but you mentioning not wanting to lose your butt reminds me of some other womens concerns about that.. I've known girls that don't want to do cardio because they don't want to lose their butt and just try to spot reduce their tummy with sit ups and become very frustrated with the lack of results.

A good diet and cardio will get rid of unwanted fat, and just keep working on toning and lifting your glutes with weights and squats and resistance and you will get a lot closer to your goals.

**Quasar F** · 12-05-2010 03:25 PM

Dancing will probably help to maintain the shape you have grown accustomed to and love, perhaps you just wish to perfect it.
Dancing can work, but only if you can bring yourself to do it.
There are many dancing styles, but as long as it gets you hot and sweaty for half an hour, then it should help.
Sometimes inappropriate training can make you fitter but melt away your curves.
Happy Dancing!