How to use donkey kicks to grow your glutes + VIDEO
by CHLOE ALEXANDER on
January 3, 2021
Everything You Need To Know About Donkey Kicks
Donkey kicks may sound strange but as you can imagine, they are named this because the exercise mimics a donkey movement! The scientific name for donkey kicks is quadruped bent-knee hip extension.
This butt toning workout targets your gluteus maximus – the biggest muscle in your butt, providing the bulk of its volume. So long as you keep your form good, you can use donkey kicks to improve your own bum (alongside diet and other exercise of course!)
HOW TO PERFORM A DONKEY KICK
Step 1 – Get into the quadruped position. This is where you get onto all fours with your hips placed above your knees and your shoulders placed over your hands. Your legs should be at 90 degree angles.
Step 2 – keep a straight back, make sure it is flat enough that you can imagine balancing some books on it! Tuck in your chin slightly so your neck is facing the sky. Engage your core – focussing on your lower abdominal muscles.
Step 3 – Lift your working leg backwards and up towards the sky. Maintain that 90 degree spacing throughout. Keep lifting until it causes your back to start arching or your hips to rotate slightly. Stop before this happens and lower your leg back to the quadruped position.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Im5nE3J558k
Optional – You may squeeze your buttocks as you lift your working leg/once it is in the air to further work your glutes.
It is really important you do not let your back arch or your hips rotate because it causes you to rely on your back instead of your glutes. Doing so compresses the spine and prevents any kind of workout in your butt.
We recommend 15 – 20 repetitions on each leg two times. Do all reps on one leg before moving on to the other one in the set.
INCORPORATING DONKEY KICKS INTO YOUR WORKOUT
To incorporate donkey kicks into your workout routine, you should be doing them around five times a week. They work well as a warm up, easy to do on an active rest day and don’t overwork your glute’s muscle capacity since it is a low weight exercise.
If you are using donkey kicks in your glute workouts, make sure you do other butt exercises as well as this one in order to achieve the best results. This is because, as mentioned earlier, they only work your gluteus maximus. You need to work your gluteus minimus and medius as well!
This exercise is perfect for toning your body and also improving your stability.
It works your core muscles, shoulder muscles (from keeping you steady), and of course, your gluteus maximus.
It is ideal for those who sit down at work all day because by kicking back, you are stretching your hips out in the opposite direction. It helps to prevent hip and spine injury and also improves your posture.
It is a simple exercise to do! You don’t need to go to the gym for this, you can do it anywhere. Making it a go-to butt exercise for its simplicity and ease.
FAQs
Do donkey kicks erase cellulite?
Cellulite can not be erased completely, it is natural! But as a donkey kick works the area where cellulite is most common – between your hamstring and gluteus muscles – it can help to reduce its appearance.
How do you make donkey kicks easier?
Make sure you are engaging your core and use your glutes to actually pull your leg back. This prevents strain on the rest of your body, making the exercise easier.
Are donkey kicks a form of cardio?
No, they are not. Although, you can make this exercise into a cardio one if you wish. To do so, you lift both legs in a rep, one after the other, to bring up your heart rate with its speed increase. Bear in mind this in turn means that the glutes do not receive as good of a work out.
SUMMARY
So there you have it! Donkey kicks are a simple, fun addition to any workout which aims to grow your booty. You can add your own special touches to this exercise to work on yourself at a level you find most comfortable. Please let us know how this exercise helps you and any new variations you create!
I’m Chloe – a body confidence writer here at House of Peach! I help women to feel fabulous in the body they’re in and feel amazing in gym wear – regardless of their body shape and type. Unleash Your Peach.
Everything You Need To Know About Donkey Kicks
Donkey kicks may sound strange but as you can imagine, they are named this because the exercise mimics a donkey movement! The scientific name for donkey kicks is quadruped bent-knee hip extension.
This butt toning workout targets your gluteus maximus – the biggest muscle in your butt, providing the bulk of its volume. So long as you keep your form good, you can use donkey kicks to improve your own bum (alongside diet and other exercise of course!)
HOW TO PERFORM A DONKEY KICK
Step 1 – Get into the quadruped position. This is where you get onto all fours with your hips placed above your knees and your shoulders placed over your hands. Your legs should be at 90 degree angles.
Step 2 – keep a straight back, make sure it is flat enough that you can imagine balancing some books on it! Tuck in your chin slightly so your neck is facing the sky. Engage your core – focussing on your lower abdominal muscles.
Step 3 – Lift your working leg backwards and up towards the sky. Maintain that 90 degree spacing throughout. Keep lifting until it causes your back to start arching or your hips to rotate slightly. Stop before this happens and lower your leg back to the quadruped position.
Optional – You may squeeze your buttocks as you lift your working leg/once it is in the air to further work your glutes.
It is really important you do not let your back arch or your hips rotate because it causes you to rely on your back instead of your glutes. Doing so compresses the spine and prevents any kind of workout in your butt.
We recommend 15 – 20 repetitions on each leg two times. Do all reps on one leg before moving on to the other one in the set.
INCORPORATING DONKEY KICKS INTO YOUR WORKOUT
To incorporate donkey kicks into your workout routine, you should be doing them around five times a week. They work well as a warm up, easy to do on an active rest day and don’t overwork your glute’s muscle capacity since it is a low weight exercise.
If you are using donkey kicks in your glute workouts, make sure you do other butt exercises as well as this one in order to achieve the best results. This is because, as mentioned earlier, they only work your gluteus maximus. You need to work your gluteus minimus and medius as well!
You can also create slight variation with this movement by adding resistance. Resistance can be made in the form of ankle weights, a dumbbell placed in your knee crease, or a resistance band around your working legs’ foot.
THE BENEFITS OF DONKEY KICKS
This exercise is perfect for toning your body and also improving your stability.
It works your core muscles, shoulder muscles (from keeping you steady), and of course, your gluteus maximus.
It is ideal for those who sit down at work all day because by kicking back, you are stretching your hips out in the opposite direction. It helps to prevent hip and spine injury and also improves your posture.
It is a simple exercise to do! You don’t need to go to the gym for this, you can do it anywhere. Making it a go-to butt exercise for its simplicity and ease.
FAQs
Do donkey kicks erase cellulite?
How do you make donkey kicks easier?
Are donkey kicks a form of cardio?
SUMMARY
So there you have it! Donkey kicks are a simple, fun addition to any workout which aims to grow your booty. You can add your own special touches to this exercise to work on yourself at a level you find most comfortable. Please let us know how this exercise helps you and any new variations you create!
Don’t forget your glute enhancing leggings for your next workout! Check out our anti cellulite leggings, camouflage leggings, leopard print gym leggings or new gym bodysuits!