|
Q: |
Great Butts: Born or Built?
Dear Tony,
My rear end is as flat as a pancake. Everything else on me has some curves and meat to it, but not my butt. The seat of my pants just sort of billows back there, looking like a floppy balloon with no air.
I have a couple of aunts who also have flat behinds. My mom, however, has buns of steel and she’s in her 40s. Matter of fact, mom’s butt is her best asset. I train hard with squats and lunges, but nothing seems to change. This makes me think that great butts are perhaps born, not built. What’s your take on this, Tony?
Flat-as-a-Board Butt
Scottsdale, Arizona |
|
|
|
|
A: |
Dear Board Butt:
Some people are born with more muscular and/or plumper rear ends than others. Ethnic origin can also favor this condition, and it can be hereditary. Particularly lean backsides, which it sounds as if you have, are also genetically passed on. Since your mom is endowed I would bet those aunts are on your father’s side of the family, right?
In answer to your question: yes, great butts can be born. But they can also be improved through resistance exercise that targets the gluteals.
My first word of advice: Don’t sit on it so much! Add an extra 30 minutes a week performing gluteal exercises! That’s 10 minutes, three times per week, in addition to your regular routine.
Quarter Leg Presses—These are performed on a seated leg press machine. With the machine adjusted so your knees are as close to your chest as possible, perform just the first one-quarter of the press. You can usually do a little more weight on this than on full presses. If you don’t go to a gym, try squatting down on your haunches and coming up just one-quarter of the way. Three sets of 10 reps on these.
Running Backwards—You read it right. Find a large open area and run backwards. Try to increase your times. Increase your length of stride. This really hits the upper hamstrings and glutes. Go three sets as long as you can—which won’t be that long!
Rear Leg Kicks—With or without resistance, rear leg kicks are still a great shaper for the backside. Perform three sets of 15 for each leg.
 |
|
|
Ask Tony articles are reprinted by permission of Ms. Fitness magazine at P.O. Box 2490, White City, OR 97503. Ms. Fitness® is a registered trademark of Wally Boyko Productions, Inc., in the USA, Canada, European Union and other countries. All rights reserved. Wally Boyko Productions, Inc. P.O. Box 2490 White City, OR 97503 USA 1.541.830.0400 |
|
|