“Deceptively simple but highly effective”—Pilates instructor recommends beginners try these three glute exercises to build strength and muscle

Woman wearing orange red leggings on hands and knees with one leg extended straight behind her, sideways to the camera with large windows behind.

To build strength, improve mobility and remain mobile as you age, glute strength is essential. Your buttocks are made up of three major muscles that power you when you walk, run, climb stairs, and even sit down on and stand up from a chair. In fact, they play an integral part in most of our day-to-day movements.

Incorporating moves like the squat, lunge and hip thrust into your workouts is great, but if you’re after more variety or don’t have access to weights to keep progressing, then Pilates could be a smart alternative.