Glutes · Band

Mini Loop Band Glute Thrust

Shoulders elevated, band on the knees, full glute lockout.

Mini Loop Band Glute Thrust exercise demonstration
GlutesSecondary: HamstringsBand

How to do it

  1. Sit with your upper back against a bench, mini band just above your knees.
  2. Plant your feet flat and press your knees out against the band.
  3. Drive your hips up until your torso is parallel to the floor.
  4. Squeeze hard at the top, then lower with control.

The one cue that matters

Push your knees out and tuck your chin, finish with a full glute squeeze.

Muscles worked

Elevating your shoulders on a bench extends the range far beyond a floor bridge, so the hamstrings and glutes drive the hips through a longer arc of extension before that hard squeeze at the top. Pressing your knees out against the band the whole way keeps the outer glutes loaded on top of the main hip drive. Because your torso finishes parallel to the floor, you get a full lockout that a bridge from the floor simply cannot reach.

FAQ

What is the difference between a glute thrust and a glute bridge?

The bench. With your shoulders elevated your hips travel through a much bigger range, which means more work per rep and a proper lockout at the top, the floor bridge is the shorter, easier cousin.

Why should I tuck my chin at the top of the thrust?

Chin tucked keeps your ribs down and stops your lower back from taking over the lockout. If your head cranes back, your spine arches and the glutes lose the finish.

How high should the bench be for glute thrusts?

Roughly knee height, so the edge sits just under your shoulder blades. Too high and you slide around, too low and you have turned it back into a floor bridge.

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