G is for Glutes

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

11 Jul 2007 05:30 AM

Your glutes are the largest muscle in your body. No, seriously and I'm not telling you that you have a big butt - in fact, far from it. It's just that the gluteus maximus is the largest, single muscle in your body. There are plenty of other names for your glutes whether you want to call it your rear, your buttocks or your derriere. But the glutes do more than just look good in a pair of jeans. The glutes are engaged every time you stand up or sit down. Since I'm sure you do this on a regular basis so you do engage your glutes on a regular basis.

There are a lot of great exercises that support your glutes. Standing squats, for example, are one of the best because it mimics the motion you use to sit down and stand up. You can perform them standing free or standing near a wall and using a balance ball. Another great exercise for your glutes is lunging. Walking lunges are particularly good because they work your quadriceps, your calves and your glutes.

Cardio Glutes

Of the various cardio machines out there, the stair climber and the elliptical machine are the best for your glutes because they engage your rear in a way that cycling and walking do not. If you're looking for a great exercise to work your glutes without spending a lot of time in repetitive motion, you should check out hiking.

Hiking, by its very nature, is an all over body activity. You walk, you climb, you reach further and you adjust your speed accordingly. It's also good for burning lots of calories because you're likely traveling in an upwards incline and if you hike in upper elevations, the thinner atmosphere requires more breaths per second to get you the kind of oxygen you need.

You use your glutes all the time - you just need to pay a little more attention to them when you are and in no time flat, you'll have a firmer and more comfortable set to show off in your jeans.

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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