"Step-ups are an often-underrated glute exercise," said Salina Duggan, MS, ACE-certified group fitness instructor and ISSA-certified personal trainer. Why? When you learn how to properly engage your glutes through this exercise, Salina explained, "you can then strengthen your glutes when performing everyday movements like walking up stairs, hills, and basically anything that requires stepping up!"
- Find a step or a bench that, when you place your foot squarely on it, puts your knee at a 90-degree angle or greater.
- Step up with the right foot, then the left, bringing both feet completely onto the bench.
- To return to the starting position, lead with the right foot to step down to the floor, then the left, until ending with both feet on the ground.
- Switch legs and repeat to complete one rep.
