Exercise Library / Legs

Hip Thrust

How to do the Hip Thrust with proper form, and the muscles it works.

Muscle group
Legs
Primary muscles
Glutes
Secondary muscles
Calves and hamstrings
Equipment
Barbell
Type
Compound
Level
Intermediate

Video: “Hip Thrust Tutorial - Proper Form and Technique” by Runna on YouTube.

How to do the Hip Thrust

  1. Begin seated on the ground with a bench directly behind you. Have a loaded barbell over your legs. Using a fat bar or having a pad on the bar can greatly reduce the discomfort caused by this exercise.
  2. Roll the bar so that it is directly above your hips, and lean back against the bench so that your shoulder blades are near the top of it.
  3. Begin the movement by driving through your feet, extending your hips vertically through the bar. Your weight should be supported by your shoulder blades and your feet. Extend as far as possible, then reverse the motion to return to the starting position.

Muscles worked

The Hip Thrust mainly works your glutes, with help from your calves and hamstrings.

Hip Thrust start and finish positions

Hip Thrust: Starting position
Starting position
Hip Thrust: Ending position
Ending position

Track your Hip Thrust progress

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