Why You Need to Focus on This Key Area of Your Body That’s Often Overlooked (2024)

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Why You Need to Focus on This Key Area of Your Body That’s Often Overlooked (1)

You’re not imagining it.

If you think your butt is looking a like more… flat after having a baby, you’re probably not seeing things.

The truth is that a flatter bum can show up postpartum because of some subtle, but significant shifts that happen during pregnancy.

And it’s important to recognize that it’s not just about looks.

Sure it’s okay if you’d rather have a rounder bum – your body, your choice. But beyond that, having strong glutes is key to having a strong pelvic floor and core (and really, a strong body).

So – while wanting to ditch the pancake bum may have brought you here – I want to make it clear that it’s about so much more than how your backside looks.

Your glutes are a key part of your core system and they’re best friends with your pelvic floor. So having strong glutes can have a huge impact on how your core, pelvic floor and entire body feels and functions.

So let’s get some glutes!

In order to build stronger glutes you need to focus on 3 essential steps.

Step One: Start with Alignment

Why You Need to Focus on This Key Area of Your Body That’s Often Overlooked (2)

What’s alignment? It’s how your body bits are stacked on top of one another from head to toes.

Ideally we’d spend most of our time in great alignment that supports our bones and soft tissues.

But during pregnancy – because we’re growing a beach ball of a human out the front of us – we can shift into less than ideal alignment.

There are a few different ways we can get out of alignment, but one of the biggest culprits is tucking your bum under to counterbalance the weight of your growing belly.

Now spending a couple moments here and there in not so optimal alignment is no biggie. But we don’t want to live there. And so many pregnant women end up living in that tucked under bum position during pregnancy.

Then – because you lived in that position during pregnancy – it’s so easy to just stay in that position postpartum.

Especially since you’re now carrying a baby around and tucking your bum to counterbalance the weight of them on your chest just feels natural at this point.

And overtime – after spending months and months here – some muscles in the front of our body (like our hip flexors and abs) start to get too tight, while others (like our glutes and spine stabilizers) get too weak.

We end up with an imbalance that can cause use to lose strength, mobility, and ultimately leave us with that flat as a pancake butt situation.

So in order to overcome this flat, weak butt situation, we need to start with alignment because this is going to be the foundation that sets us up to get the best results possible.

If you don’t start here – if you just skip ahead and start doing random bum-building exercises – you may end up not getting the results you were hoping for.

So check yourself out in the mirror.

Tuck your pelvis under, then untuck it. See and feel the difference.

It may feel weird at first – like you’re overly arching your back since you’re so used to being tucked. Just play with it. It’ll start to feel natural pretty soon.

And keep in mind that the idea is to find neutral – where you aren’t tucked, but you’re also not arching your back like crazy to stick your bum out. (That would be an aggressive anterior pelvic tilt and we don’t want to fix one problem by creating another.)

It shouldn’t be a huge effort. Just a small shift in your pelvis so that it’s truly neutral.

You can imagine that there is a piece of string attached to the top of your butt and someone is gently pulling it upward so that you have that slight, natural curve to your low back and your pelvis isn’t pushing forward.

Sitting, standing, walking, squatting and doing most of your daily mom life movements with a neutral pelvis will not only help you enjoy a stronger core and pelvic floor, it may also save you from experiencing those nasty aches and pains associated with misalignment – like back pain.

Step Two: Stretch It Out

Why You Need to Focus on This Key Area of Your Body That’s Often Overlooked (3)

Remember how I said that living in that bum tucked under position for 9+ months left you with not only some weak muscles but also some tight muscles?

Yes. Tucking your bum under for hours a day means that some muscles in the front of your body – like your hip flexors and ab muscles – end up getting tight, tight, tight.

So that means we need to bring more balance into your body by stretching out these tight muscles.

And let’s be honest – having tight muscles in your body doesn’t just impact your butt, it’s also impacting the rest of your core.

If your ab muscles are chronically tight, they’re going to have a tough time engaging well and “turning on” when they’re supposed to. They’re just honestly too tight to make a bold effort.

So we need to release those tight muscles for your bum’s sake and your core’s sake.

These guys work as a team – they’re like besties. When one isn’t doing so hot, the other isn’t doing so hot either.

So by bringing more balance into both your core and glutes we’re supporting both systems and making your entire body stronger.

Step Three: Go For the Burn

Why You Need to Focus on This Key Area of Your Body That’s Often Overlooked (4)

Since pregnancy has pushed your body into less than ideal alignment – and it carried on over into your postpartum life – the backside of your body (like your hamstrings and glutes) has become over-stretched and weak.

Your bum muscles are weak from not being used properly for so long.

So we need to bring them back to life with some simple, proven bum-building exercises.

And it’s not just about doing a bunch of random glute exercises and hoping it’ll work.

We need to make sure you’re focusing on 2 things:

  1. Doing the best, most effective bum boosters.
  2. Having awesome form and technique so your muscles are actually engaging well.

You’d be surprised at how many times I’ve suggested simple tweaks to clients when they’ve said “I don’t feel it in my butt, am I supposed to?”

I’ll suggest they simply change 1 or 2 things and voila, they suddenly feel it where they’re supposed to – in their glutes!

Obviously, the better your form is, the more you’re actually feeling it in your bum, the better your results can be.

That’s why I love giving my clients simple step-by-step demo videos so they know exactly how to move through the exercises with the best form possible so they can get the best results possible.

And if you’d like a taste of what my programs look like, I’ve created a free 21 day core and glute focused workout program so you can start using all 3 of these steps to build a better bum (and core!)

Just remember, it’s not only about doing the bum-building exercises.

In order to have a better balanced, strong glutes and core you need to start with alignment, gain some mobility with key stretches, and build that strength back up with proven exercises.

Because remember, this goes a lot deeper than how your jeans fit.

How strong your glutes are has a huge impact on how your core and the rest of your body feels and functions too.

So work on building that strength and you’ll enjoy feeling and functioning better.

To strong glutes! 🍑💪

Jenna

P.S. Have a friend who’s feeling bummed out by the state of her butt (yes – pun intended 😉). Send her this post!

Why You Need to Focus on This Key Area of Your Body That’s Often Overlooked (2024)

FAQs

Why is my bum getting flatter? ›

A flat butt can be caused by a number of lifestyle factors, including sedentary jobs or activities that require you to sit for extended periods. As you age, your butt may flatten and lose shape due to lower amounts of fat in the buttocks.

Does your butt get bigger during pregnancy? ›

Pregnancy can make your butt bigger, wider, and less toned. The resulting “mom butt” can be caused by changes in your weight, hormones, and fitness level.

Can a flat but be transformed? ›

If you train your glute-muscles – like other muscles – it will become stronger and grow, but its shape will not change. In other words, whether you naturally possess a round-type butt or a flatter-version, you probably always will - you'll just possess a stronger or more developed butt.

What is heart bottom syndrome after birth? ›

"What happens when there's a pelvic floor or core dysfunction, is that the lower part of the glutes start to tuck under, and the upper part becomes overdeveloped so it looks like a right-side-up shaped heart." She said this changing shape of the bum during childbirth is known as Heart Bottom Syndrome.

Can your butt get flat from sitting too much? ›

Years of sitting can potentially change the shape of your booty over time. Giordano says he's seen this in his patients that go from a very active job to a desk job that involves lots of sitting. "An anterior pelvic tilt (tight hip flexors) can make your booty appear flatter."

Does squeezing buttocks make it rounder? ›

Researchers found that those who performed gluteal squeezes increased their hip extension—or glute—strength by 16 percent compared to an 11 percent increase in those who performed glute bridges. Gluteal girth also increased in the group who performed gluteal squeezes.

Do hips stay bigger after pregnancy? ›

Hips: Bone structure can change after pregnancy, making women's hips slightly wider. Added weight during pregnancy can also play a role.

How to get a flat butt? ›

Try the following exercises to lose fat from the butt and to tone the muscles in the thighs and glutes:
  1. Running. Share on Pinterest. ...
  2. High-intensity interval training. Share on Pinterest. ...
  3. Step-climbing. Share on Pinterest. ...
  4. Squats. Share on Pinterest. ...
  5. Lunges. ...
  6. One-leg deadlift. ...
  7. Side-lying hip abduction. ...
  8. Lateral band walk.

Why is my bum getting bigger without exercise? ›

Genetics. We all inherit certain things from our genetic make-up, whether it be blue eyes, long eyelashes, big hips or, yes, a big bum! Some of us are simply more predisposed to having a larger derriere if the body shape dominant in our genetics is bottom-heavy (or what you might hear described as “pear-shaped.”)

Does walking tone your butt? ›

Walking is absolutely a great form of exercise, and one that doesn't get a ton of love because it's so chill and easy compared to other forms of exercise, Saltos says. But, rather than building butt muscles, walking can actually make your bum a bit smaller.

How long does it take to lift a saggy bum? ›

Expert trainers will typically recommend that you work out 3-4 times a week, taking plenty of time for muscle recovery and rest. If you imagine that you could dedicate 3-4 hours a week to your lower body, you might see results in as little as 5-6 weeks.

What exercises lift your buttocks? ›

20 exercises that shape the glutes from every angle
  1. Glute bridges. ...
  2. Hip thrusts. ...
  3. Frog pumps. ...
  4. Leg kickbacks (quadruped hip extension) ...
  5. Standing kickbacks. ...
  6. Lateral band walk. ...
  7. Clamshells. ...
  8. Fire hydrants.
May 17, 2021

What causes heart attacks after childbirth? ›

Peripartum (postpartum) cardiomyopathy is a weakness of the heart muscle that leads to heart failure and can be deadly. Symptoms include fatigue, heart palpitations and shortness of breath. Risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and substance use.

Is it normal to be out of breath after giving birth? ›

Shortness of breath is no stranger to pregnancy, but it should get better after giving birth. If you're postpartum and still experiencing this symptom, especially if you had a caesarean section, it is worth looking into.

Why do I feel weird in my chest after giving birth? ›

Because a person's heart rate naturally increases during pregnancy, postpartum heart palpitations may be harmless. But they may be the result of something more serious. These causes include peripartum cardiomyopathy, postpartum thyroiditis, and postpartum depression and anxiety.

Which sleeping position reduces buttocks? ›

Side sleeping: This position helps to improve sleep, lose weight and pain. back, avoid swelling in legs, buttocks, thighs.

Does sitting cause big hips? ›

Due to constant sitting in a single position for prolonged periods of time, the body might adapt and, in a sense, get deformed to have a larger hip. This is so that the pelvic bones and muscles can support the weight of the upper body efficiently.

What happens when you sit for long periods of time? ›

Research has linked sitting for long periods of time with a number of health concerns. They include obesity and a cluster of conditions — increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist and unhealthy cholesterol levels — that make up metabolic syndrome.

Can you improve a saggy bum? ›

So regular exercise in the form of strength training can help prevent a saggy butt. Strength training is crucial to keep your butt firm and toned. Butt building exercises like squats, deadlifts, hip thrusts and lunges will help to build muscle in your butt (your glutes) and keep it firm and toned.

What are the benefits of strong buttocks? ›

"Strong gluteals are important for proper pelvic alignment, propulsion during walking and running, and even standing on one leg. Gluteals also help support the lower back during lifting, and help prevent knee injuries."

What happens if a woman never had a baby? ›

Women without children have also been found to have an increased risk of breast cancer, and increased mortality from uterine, ovarian and cervical cancer when compared to women with children. Moreover, the fertility declines with the advanced age at first childbearing.

What is pregnancy nose? ›

Women's reproductive and endocrinology specialist, Dr. Shahin Ghadir, explains it is a condition where the “nose swells during pregnancy due to elevated levels of hormones, such as estrogens, causing more blood flow to mucous membranes, and therefore the nose plumps up.”

Does your body change forever after giving birth? ›

It's safe to say growing and birthing a baby does “some things” to the body. And while many of those changes are temporary, like strange skin conditions experienced during pregnancy, some may be more permanent, like altered DNA.

How long does it take to get a round bum? ›

Glute growth generally takes 6-8 weeks to see noticeable changes, however, some individuals may find it takes 10-12 weeks based on diet, training, and body type. When trying to grow your glutes faster, you should train them multiple times a week (2-3X) and make sure you are eating enough calories to build muscle.

How do I make my belly fat go to my bum? ›

Doing cardio and targeted strength-training exercises, plus eating a diet with the right nutrients and calories, will help you build a big booty and trim stomach fat. There are two components to trimming your tummy and building your butt: losing fat and gaining muscle.

How can I make my bum rounder at the top? ›

Top 10 Exercises To Lift, Round & Firm Your Glutes
  1. 1 SINGLE LEG DEADLIFT. ...
  2. 2 SUMO SQUAT. ...
  3. 3 BULGARIAN SPLIT SQUAT. ...
  4. 4 SQUAT KICKBACK. ...
  5. 5 STEP UP. ...
  6. 6 SIDE LUNGE TO CURTSY LUNGE. ...
  7. 7 HAMSTRING CURLS. ...
  8. 8 SIDE LYING HIP ABDUCTION.

What makes you bigger? ›

Focus on Big Muscles

But the biceps curl can't and shouldn't be the backbone of your workout. Moving big weights is what will help you get bigger overall, forcing your entire body to grow. That means focusing on tentpole lifts: Bench presses, pullups and chinups, barbell rows, deadlifts, and squats.

Which food increases hips? ›

Foods that are higher in protein and healthy fats are a good place to start. Try: nuts, avocados, dairy products, eggs and fatty fish. For example, you can add healthy calories with snacks like: peanut butter and an apple, 2 hard boiled eggs, trail mix, or full fat greek yogurt with nuts.

What foods grow glutes? ›

Foods That Make Your Butt Grow
  • Mixed Nuts. Nuts such as cashews, peanuts and almonds can pack as much as 135 calories per ounce. ...
  • Whole Wheat. ...
  • Tuna. ...
  • Sweet Potatoes. ...
  • Quinoa. ...
  • Lean Beef. ...
  • Eggs. ...
  • Veggies.
Dec 13, 2022

Does walking make your waist smaller? ›

Studies show walking is one of the best ways to shed belly fat, in less time than you think. Researchers reviewed 40 years of studies on exercise and belly fat and found that just 2 1/2 hours of brisk walking a week--about 20 minutes a day--can shrink your belly by about 1 inch in 4 weeks.

How quickly can you tone your body? ›

“At 6 to 8 weeks, you can definitely notice some changes,” said Logie, “and in 3 to 4 months you can do a pretty good overhaul to your health and fitness.” Strength-specific results take about the same amount of time.

How long does it take to build a butt? ›

Patience and consistency is absolutely KEY when it comes to growing your glutes! Building muscle is a slow process, but with your diet and training on point, you will start to see results typically around 8 weeks or even longer in some cases.

How can I lift my breasts? ›

4 Ways to Naturally Lift Your Breasts
  1. Any variation of pushups.
  2. Weighted chest presses (a reverse pushup lying on your back and pushing weights upwards by straightening and bending arms)
  3. Weighted chest flys (similar to chest press but with straight arms “flying” from the sides to directly over the chest)
May 2, 2018

What are the best exercises for women's buttocks? ›

The best glute-sculpting exercises are lunges, squats, deadlifts, bridges, kicks, hip thrusts, and step-ups. Each of these exercises — whether done with or without weights — will build muscle and strength in your glutes.

What does hip thrusting do? ›

What is a hip thrust? The hip thrust exercise targets the gluteus maximus, which is the biggest muscle in your body. It also activates the hamstrings, quadriceps, and adductors. Working on developing this muscle, can help to improve your overall lower body strength, size and power, through training hip extension.

Is giving birth hard on your heart? ›

Pregnancy stresses your heart and circulatory system. During pregnancy, your blood volume increases by 30 to 50 percent to nourish your growing baby, your heart pumps more blood each minute and your heart rate increases. Labor and delivery add to your heart's workload, too.

Can labor weaken your heart? ›

Postpartum cardiomyopathy

Also called peripartum cardiomyopathy, this rare form of heart failure occurs in the last month of pregnancy, or up to five months after giving birth. The symptoms include tiredness, shortness of breath, swollen ankles, swollen neck veins, and feeling of missed heartbeats or palpitations.

Can labor damage your heart? ›

That's because the pressure in your aorta goes up during pregnancy, especially during labor and delivery. This extra pressure increases your risk of an aortic dissection or aneurysm rupture, which can be fatal.

Why does it hurt to pee after giving birth? ›

Your perineum may tear naturally during vagin*l birth. Pain/burning when you pee, increased urination or pain in your lower back or side. You may have a urinary tract infection (also called UTI), including a bladder infection (cystitis) or a kidney infection (pyelonephritis).

What should you not do after giving birth? ›

Don't drink alcohol, use street drugs or use harmful drugs. All of these can affect your mood and make you feel worse. And they can make it hard for you to take care of your baby. Ask for help from your partner, family and friends.

How long after birth do you have your first breath? ›

At birth, the baby's lungs are filled with fluid. They are not inflated. The baby takes the first breath within about 10 seconds after delivery. This breath sounds like a gasp, as the newborn's central nervous system reacts to the sudden change in temperature and environment.

Why do you shake before giving birth? ›

As your body gets closer to pushing your Adrenaline spikes dramatically. This gives your body a boost of energy and strength so you can birth your baby. The unfortunate side effect of this hormone rush is that it can make you very unsteady. The body can twitch and shake.

What is the syndrome after giving birth? ›

Most new moms experience postpartum "baby blues" after childbirth, which commonly include mood swings, crying spells, anxiety and difficulty sleeping. Baby blues usually begin within the first 2 to 3 days after delivery and may last for up to two weeks.

What is shock after giving birth? ›

With PPH, you can lose much more blood, which is what makes it a dangerous condition. PPH can cause a severe drop in blood pressure. If not treated quickly, this can lead to shock and death. Shock is when your body organs don't get enough blood flow.

What age does your bum go flat? ›

Muscle loss (muscle atrophy) due to ageing, is called sarcopenia. The rate of sarcopenia is 1-2% per year after the age of 50. Even though you will generally lose muscle from all over your body, you will notice it most around your bum, hips and shoulders.

How can I gain fat on my bum? ›

Exercises and Strategies for a Bigger, Firmer Butt
  1. Glute bridge.
  2. Jumping squats.
  3. Walking lunge.
  4. Single-leg deadlift.
  5. Clamshell.
  6. Banded side step.
  7. Donkey kicks.
  8. Weight training.
Sep 11, 2020

How do I stop losing weight on my bum? ›

When it comes to keeping your bum in top condition during a weight loss programme, strength training is your new best friend. By working on your glutes with varying weights, you build the muscle and in turn give yourself a round, fuller, perky bum to go along with your new slimmer figure!

Can your butt get smaller? ›

Losing fat from the butt is a common fitness goal. However, it is not possible to spot-reduce fat in a specific area. Reducing overall weight in a gradual, safe manner is the best way to reduce fat on the butt. Running, squats, and other exercises can also help tone the butt.

What makes your bum look bigger? ›

Emphasize your booty by highlighting your waist.

The smaller your waist looks, the rounder and more bodacious your booty will look by comparison, so go for pants, skirts, and dresses that fit snugly at your natural waist, and pair them with cropped or tucked-in tops and cropped jackets.

What foods help bum growth? ›

List of Foods for Bigger Butt
  • Salmon. Salmon is one of the richest sources of protein. ...
  • Eggs. Eggs are loaded with nutrients like selenium, riboflavin, vitamin B12, and phosphorus. ...
  • Quinoa. Quinoa is a rich dietary source of protein. ...
  • Legumes. ...
  • Flaxseed. ...
  • Brown Rice. ...
  • Avocados. ...
  • Milk.
Feb 1, 2023

Do I need to eat more to get a bigger bum? ›

Key Takeaways. The intake of protein-rich foods and complex carbohydrates can help add a layer of fat that helps you get a bigger butt. Certain foods, such as fish, quinoa, eggs, chicken, and brown rice are vital for muscle building and are recommended for getting big buttocks.

Do squats make your butt bigger? ›

Squats work all of the glute muscles in one movement. When you strategically recruit and tax these muscles, you can trigger hypertrophy (or muscle size growth). So, yes, squats can help you build bigger glutes.

Does walking reduce buttocks? ›

Walking is absolutely a great form of exercise, and one that doesn't get a ton of love because it's so chill and easy compared to other forms of exercise, Saltos says. But, rather than building butt muscles, walking can actually make your bum a bit smaller.

How do you get a flat stomach and curves fast? ›

Techniques that may help people get a flat stomach include:
  1. Add cardio. Share on Pinterest Running is effective in trimming a person's midsection. ...
  2. Eat more fiber. ...
  3. Limit refined carbs. ...
  4. Increase protein intake. ...
  5. Do exercises while standing, not sitting. ...
  6. Add resistance training. ...
  7. Eat more monounsaturated fatty acids. ...
  8. Move more.
Mar 6, 2019

What exercise burns the most belly fat? ›

Crunches:

The most effective exercise to burn stomach fat is crunches. Crunches rank top when we talk of fat-burning exercises. You can start by lying down flat with your knees bent and your feet on the ground. Lift your hands and then place them behind the head.

How long will it take to get a bigger bum? ›

Glute growth generally takes 6-8 weeks to see noticeable changes, however, some individuals may find it takes 10-12 weeks based on diet, training, and body type. When trying to grow your glutes faster, you should train them multiple times a week (2-3X) and make sure you are eating enough calories to build muscle.

Does having a small waist make your bum look bigger? ›

Having a smaller mid-section is a huge factor in how big the booty appears. If you have a smaller waist, there will be a more definite shape change between your midsection and your butt.

Can you get a bigger bum naturally? ›

Can exercise really make your bum bigger? Absolutely. "It's possible to 'grow' this area of your body by using your workout to activate and engage particular muscles, which will make your bum stronger, firmer and have a more shapely appearance," says Pasterino.

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