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Are squats or lunges better for glutes?

Author

William Rodriguez

Published Jan 13, 2026

Squats v lunges

Squats are considered to the best exercise for lower body workouts and help target your quads, thighs, glutes, calves, core and hamstrings. “Squats are more balanced than lunges and lunges need more coordination which is why squats are better for beginners.

Are lunges better than squats for glutes?

As for the glutes, a study at the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse found that squats were helpful to a degree as they activated the superficial glute muscles, the gluteus maximus and medius, they found that lunges were overall more beneficial for the quads.

Do lunges and squats make 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.

Do lunges build a bigger butt?

So, to answer the question which will give you a bigger butt, squats or lunges, the simple answer is both. But if you must choose just one, lunges are the winner. The reason for this is because of the isolation of using one leg putts more stress on the muscles.

Why lunges are better than squats?

Squats will help build overall muscle mass while also improving performance and strength. Lunges are great to define and shape the legs and glutes, while also improving balance, coordination, and stability. Choosing which one to do will ultimately depend on your activity level, fitness goals, and skill level.

36 related questions found

Can lunges replace squats?

Lunges are one the best exercises you can perform in the gym, period. What I love about them most is their versatility. They also involve the hip, knee, and ankle and as such are a perfect alternative to the squat.

Should I do squats and lunges on the same day?

“Once you're able to perform both exercises properly and with perfect form, you should consider a combination of the two in your routine, such as a squat variation and a split stance exercise like lunges or step-ups, in order to work the lower body and the core at once.”

Which lunge is best for glutes?

5 Lunges for Stronger Legs and Glutes

  • Lateral Lunges. If plyometric exercises put pressure on your knees, consider this side lunge, which helps strengthen the muscles around your knees and improves flexibility and hip mobility, too. ...
  • Standing Split Lunge. ...
  • Pendulum Lunges. ...
  • Lunge to Back Hand. ...
  • Plyo Lunges.

Are reverse lunges better for glutes?

THE DIFFERENCES. While forward and reverse lunges both work the glutes, legs and abs, each emphasizes different leg muscles. Reverse lunges hone in on the hamstrings (back of thighs) and glute max (your meatiest glute muscle), whereas forward lunges focus more on the quads (front of thighs).

Do lunges give you bigger thighs?

Lunges and squats build strength and tone thigh muscles. Lunges and squats offer numerous benefits, but they won't help you target specific areas on your body to lose weight. These exercises can actually increase the size of your thighs if they're done at a high enough volume.

Why is my bum getting smaller with squats?

More often than not, squatting will really just shape up your glutes, making them firmer instead of bigger or smaller. If you are losing body fat on top of performing squats, then your butt will likely shrink. If your glutes are building muscle, however, then your butt will appear larger.

Which squat is best for bigger bum?

A sumo squat is excellent for targeting your glutes. A wider stance keeps your hips externally rotated to promote greater glute activation. Stand with your feet wider than shoulder width, your toes pointed slightly outward, and your hands out in front of you.

How can I get a bigger bum fast?

But how to get a bigger butt fast? Well, you need to grow your glute muscles and increase the fat layer (1).
...
10 Best Exercises To Get Bigger Buttocks

  1. Squats. Save. ...
  2. Barbell Squat. via GIPHY. ...
  3. Plie Squat. Save. ...
  4. Weighted Lunges. ...
  5. Weighted Glute Bridge. ...
  6. Single-Leg Bridge. ...
  7. Donkey Kicks. ...
  8. Kettlebell Swings.

Do lunges tone bum?

It also challenges your stability, making it a great sneaky core workout. Overall, the lunge is a really solid go-to move for strengthening all the major muscle groups in your lower half, including the glutes, quads, and hamstrings.

What exercise lifts your buttocks?

Squats are great butt lifting exercises to build a strong, toned bum with very little equipment. The squat works your gluteus maximus, medius, and minimus, as well as your hamstrings, quadriceps, calves, abs, obliques, and lower back muscles.

Why do lunges hurt my glutes?

The reason Squats, Lunges and Step Ups are some of the WORST glute exercises is because they don't isolate the glutes and force them to work. Because of our modern lifestyle, our glutes often don't naturally want to engage and are often inactive and underused.

Are step ups or lunges better for glutes?

The spread out stance of the lunge will make the exercise a little more glute focused than the step up. During step ups, one leg supports your weight and also balances through the motion. This will also lead you to use stabilizer muscles (primarily in the foot and calf) that you don't use while lunging.

Are front squats better than back squats?

Back squats allow you to add weight quicker, which promotes strength and power. While front squats can also help to promote strength and power — although not as quickly — they're a great exercise for developing the quads. So, if aesthetics are your goal, consider prioritizing front squats.

What happens if I do lunges everyday?

Incorporating side lunges into a daily workout can adequately stretch and strengthen your hamstrings and the adductors that control your knee and hip movements. This means, in short, that side lunges can build up those muscles that help prevent weak knee and hip muscles that can cause injuries (via Livestrong).

What happens when you do squats and lunges everyday?

Doing lunges every day can help build your core

When you perform a lunge, your lower body is heavily involved and activated. But the muscles above your pelvis are also working, and a daily lunge regimen even involves your core muscles, strengthening them over time.

Whats the difference between squats and lunges?

Rather than the up and down motion of a squat, lunges require a step forward or backward with one leg, lowering your hips until both knees are bent at about a 90-degree angle.

What is better than squats?

1. Lunges - To perform this exercise, keep your upper body straight, with your shoulders straight yet relaxed. Chin up (pick a point to stare at in front of you) and engage your core. Move the right leg backwards and then left, while lowering your hips until both knees are bent at about 90-degree angle.

What exercise is equivalent to squats?

Lunges are another versatile and effective squat alternative for your lower body workouts. The great thing about lunges is they aren't a technical movement, and they are an excellent way to get your heart rate up while targeting the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, hips, and calves.

Do hack squats build glutes?

A hack squat works the entire lower body — including the glutes, hamstrings, quads, and calves — as well as the core. An emphasis on the quads means the front of your legs will be feeling it afterward.

Can you get a bigger bum by exercising?

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.