The hip thrust is a popular exercise that targets the glutes and hip muscles to build strength. However, not everyone has access to a bench or box needed to perform hip thrusts properly. Luckily, there are several effective hip thrust alternative exercises you can do instead.
Glute Bridge
The glute bridge is one of the simplest hip thrust alternatives you can perform without any equipment.
How to:
- Lie face up on floor with knees bent, feet flat on floor hip-width apart, arms at sides
- Push through heels to raise hips off floor until body forms straight line from shoulders to knees
- Squeeze glutes at top of movement
- Hold for 1-2 seconds
- Slowly lower back down to start
- Repeat for 10-15 reps
Focus on using your glutes to lift your hips rather than straining your back. For added difficulty, perform single-leg glute bridges by keeping one foot off the floor.
Barbell Hip Thrust
The barbell hip thrust allows you to add extra resistance for your hip muscles to work against.
How to:
- Sit on ground with upper back resting on bench or box, knees bent, holding barbell across hips
- Drive through heels to raise hips, lifting barbell
- Squeeze glutes at top and hold for 1 count
- Slowly lower back down to floor
- Repeat for 8-10 reps
Make sure to keep your core engaged throughout the movement. You can place padding under the bar for more comfort if needed.
Cable Pull Through
This dynamic cable machine exercise targets the glutes in a horizontal plane versus vertical like the hip thrust.
How to:
- Attach rope handle to low cable pulley
- Stand facing pulley machine, feet hip-width apart
- Keeping slight bend in knees, hinge at hips to reach back and grab rope handle
- Initiate movement by driving hips back while squeezing glutes
- Bring hips fully forward until handle touches
- Slowly hinge back again to start position
- Repeat for 10-12 controlled reps
Keep your core braced and chest lifted throughout the movement. Focus on using your glutes rather than momentum to drive the movement.
Kettlebell Swings
Kettlebell swings work your posterior chain including hamstrings and glutes dynamically.
How to:
- Stand with feet wider than hip-width, holding kettlebell handle with both hands
- Hinge at hips to swing kettlebell between legs then drive hips forward to swing weight to chest height
- Control movement back between legs again
- Repeat with powerful hip thrust on each rep
- Complete 10-15 swings
Hinge at the hips rather than rounding your back. Time your hip thrust with the forward swing.
Step-Ups
Step-ups are a unilateral bodyweight move allowing you to isolate each side.
How to:
- Stand facing box or step, hands on hips
- Place right foot firmly on box, press through heel to step up
- Bring left foot to meet right foot on box
- Step back down one leg at a time to return to start
- Repeat 10-12 times then switch legs
Use a box or step at a height your knee can clear without rounding low back. Squeeze glutes as you step to finish hip extension.
Conclusion
Performing hip thrust alternatives trains your posterior chain, improving hip and glute strength. Focus on proper form rather than using momentum to ensure you strengthen the target muscles effectively. Experiment with different angles, variations, and challenges over time.
With consistent training, your hips will become stronger and more stable – helping you perform daily activities and athletic endeavors more efficiently. Which hip thrust alternative will you try first?