5 Must do Butt Exercises

We all want a nice booty, right?

Incorporate the following best backside exercises in your regular strength routine and you'll burn fat, shape and firm your booty, sculpt surrounding muscle groups, and rev up your metabolism.

1. Kettlebell Swings
Kettlebell swings combine strength and cardio training to redefine your backside. In addition to toning your glutes and hip flexors, you'll work your core, and cardiovascular system (an all-in-one exercise). Stand with your legs shoulder width apart. Place the kettlebell about one foot in front of you. Push your hips backward, with a slight bend in the knee (shins almost vertical) and reach forward, placing both hands on the kettlebell. From your "hike position" (hips pushed backward, back flat, and chest out) hike the kettlebell behind you, with a purpose (don't let go).Drive your hips forward, while contracting your glutes and tucking your tailbone under, to swing the kettlebell (always above the knees) until you are standing at "attention" with your hands about chest height.

Important Tips: Always make sure to keep your abs tight (this will keep your lower back protected.) Keep your neck in line with the rest of your spine. Always drive the swing with your hips and NOT your arms. If the bell ever gets too far out in front of you, never reach for it- just let it drop!

2. Lunges
Lunges are a workout staple that will firm your butt and tone your legs. Start with your feet hip width apart then step forward with one leg. Keeping your abs tight, chest high, and spine straight, sink down into the move until your front thigh is parallel to the floor and your back knee is almost touching the ground. Concentrate on squeezing your glutes as you push through your front heel back to the starting position. Important tip: don't let your moving knee extend past your toes.

3. Step Ups
This is a great exercise for your butt as well as your quads and calves. Step ups also increase your heart rate so you'll get the extra benefit of fat-blasting cardio. Stand with your right foot firmly planted on a step or a bench, your left foot on the floor. Push down through your right heel to straighten and stand on your right leg, squeezing your glutes at the top of the movement. At the same time, pull your left leg forward and up, knee bent 90 degrees and raised waist-high. Lower your left leg back to the ground, then step your right foot down. Alternate legs to make one rep.

4. Hip Extensions
Like lunges, hip extensions can be performed anywhere and without equipment. The key to this movement is positioning your weight so that your butt does the brunt of the work, not your legs. On your hands and knees, you'll focus the main effort in your glutes and lower back without involving your hamstrings. Tighten your core and squeeze your butt to lift one leg toward the ceiling, keeping the 90 degree bend and flexing your foot so you're reaching with your heel as you raise your thigh in line with your spine. Keep the movement slow and controlled to the top and then back down again.

5. One-Legged Deadlifts
One-legged deadlifts do triple duty, activating your muscles for a highly effective toning session that works your butt, hamstrings, and lower back. Holding a kettlebell/dumbbell in each hand, stand with your feet hip width apart, knees soft. Keeping your weight firmly on your left leg, lean forward from your hips, reaching the dumbbells toward your left foot and raising your right leg out behind you. Remember to keep your core tight and not round your back. Now stand straight, squeezing your glutes as you come back to start. Do a full series of reps before switching to your right leg for the second half of the set.

Don't blow off your fitness program in December!

T’is the season to be merry, and for many, it’s a time to give up our entire workout program and eating plan. Humans are what humans are…creatures of habit. Our society and culture makes it easy for us to consume and so do. We tend to let our fitness programs and healthy eating plans slide in December, engaging in all sorts of self sabotaging behaviour that leaves us feeling very cranky come January! The alarming fact is this - it only takes a few weeks to undo all our healthy patterns and progress made in months! December is full of parties, busy schedules and before you know it, that first week in January arrives and your clothes are way too tight, and you look and feel awful. How can you avoid this situation? Well, this year I’m going to try to help you stop it before it even begins.

Here are a few strategies:

Join a Bootcamp or Small Group Fitness Class
This month it is easy to walk away and say I’ll get back to it in January… a decision you almost always regret making come January! Join a bootcamp and become committed with help to achieving balance and focus during challenging times. Having the support of a trainer and peers makes it that much easier to stay committed to your plans.

Parties & Events
These holiday events are typically filled with high calorie, high fat food options and lots of alcoholic and high fat beverages (egg nog). Before going out, try eating something light so you don’t go out feeling hungry. Check out the entire spread before eating anything. Allow yourself one “treat” (something you normally don’t eat) and then pick on the healthy options provided (fruit/vegetables, hummus, boiled shrimp or chicken skewers). Limit your alcohol intake to one 8 oz drink and sip water or tea in between drinks. If people like to see you with a beverage in hand, trick them and drink cranberry and soda with pretty drink umbrellas! People will think you are drinking and leave you alone!

Family Holiday Meals
If you are hosting the meal, it won’t be too hard because you are in control of what goes on the table. Make lots of veggie side dishes and encourage people to eat mini meals or use smaller plates. If you’re going to someone’s home for the meal, offer to bring a side dish and make sure you take more of the healthy options available, and less or none of the higher fat/calorie dishes. It’s all about choices.

Exercise
I think our biggest failure is not getting to the gym. Things get so busy it’s hard to find time to do everything. Make a commitment to yourself and carve out an hour at least 3 times a week specifically for this reason. Be determined and have someone hold you accountable. You will feel so much better maintaining rather than gaining…

Good luck everyone – if we apply ourselves and stick to these guidelines, we should be able to make it through the holiday season and feel a lot better come 2015!