Got Glutes?

Buns. Booty. Assets. Badonkadonk. No matter what you call them, we all want them to be as high, tight, round and firm as possible. Six-pack abs are awesome - but you know the truest test of sex appeal comes from a sleek derriére.

Getting it is another matter, since this is the spot where women tend to hold the most bodyfat for the longest time. Thankfully, Kim Oddo, trainer to the fitness stars, and IFBB figure pro - and mother of three - Cheryl Brown are here to show you how to kick your own ass into the shape you want with 10 moves specifically designed to improve your bottom line.

 Name: Cheryl Brown
 Age: 39
 Height: 5'3"
 Weight: 113 lbs contest; 118 lbs offseason
 Birthplace: Glen Ellyn, Illinois
 Current Residence: Orlando, Florida
 Career Highlights: 2011: Europa Show of Champions, 1st; Pittsburgh Pro, 1st; New York Pro, 1st; Figure International, 5th; 2010: Europa Show of Champions, 3rd; Pittsburgh Pro, 2nd; New York Pro, 1st; Kentucky Pro, 1st.
 Sponsors: GNC, Liquid Sun Rayz, Fit Designs by Shonna

Cheryl Brown's Great-Glutes Tips

1. EAT CLEAN: "If I deviate from my diet at all, my glutes are very sensitive to that. Whether it's cheating or eating something high in sodium, that's where I hold water."
2. ISOLATE THE GLUTES: "I have a glute-only day in my split. I don't work on getting it rounder because I already have that; I focus on the glute-ham tie-in to make it more proportionate."
3. WORK ON AN INCLINE: "All of my cardio is now done on an incline. I use a Step Mill, an Arc Trainer, walk on a treadmill or run sprints up a hill outside."
4. USE HIIT: "If you're running on a treadmill at an incline, doing a sprint and then a jog, you can really feel that burn in your glutes."
5. USE SPECIAL PRODUCTS: "When I do cardio, I put a transdermal fat-burner all over and wear neoprene shorts. I did that for my entire training before the Olympia last year, and it worked out great for me."

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Unilateral Stiff-Leg Deadlift

Degree of Difficulty:

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Overview: This exercise works both the adductors and abductors, but the kickback targets the glutes. To add difficulty, use ankle weights.
Get Ready: Stand to the left side of an aerobic step or box.
Go: Step sideways onto the box with your right leg only, then contract your abs and squeeze your left glute as you bring your straight left leg behind you in a kickback motion. Hold for one count, then release the glute and step carefully off the box with your left leg, followed by your right. Repeat for reps, then switch sides.
Kim's Tip: "Be careful not to spring up. You don't want to get a bounce motion in there. You're isolating the squeeze-hold and the step up to make sure you're not using your calves."

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Split Squat

Degree of Difficulty:

Overview: This exercise works both glutes at the same time - one gets stretched while the other is contracted. To add difficulty, use a stability ball instead of a bench.
Get Ready: Stand a few feet in front of a bench. Carefully extend one foot back to place it on top of the bench with the sole of your shoe almost parallel to the floor.
Go: Bend your front leg to lower your torso straight down toward the ground, making sure your knee stays behind your toes, until your thigh is about parallel to the ground and your back knee is within a foot of the floor. Press through the heel of your front leg and squeeze your glute as you rise straight back up.

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Side Band Walking

Degree of Difficulty:

Overview: This exercise effectively targets the glute-ham tie-in, where most women tend to carry bodyfat.
Get Ready: Tie a resistance band just below your knees, and descend into a quarter-squat position, feet slightly more than shoulder-width apart to put tension on the band.
Go: Keeping your abs tight and staying in the quarter-squat, step to the right with your right leg first, then your left, keeping tension on the band throughout. Repeat for reps, then switch sides to lead with your left leg.
Kim's Tip: "I really like this one because it hits an area in your glutes that's really hard to get to."

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Medicine Ball Hip Thrusts

Degree of Difficulty:

Overview: By rolling the medicine ball closer to or farther away from your glutes, you will feel this exercise in different areas of your glutes. Find the one that allows you to feel it most in the lower-middle portion of your glutes. For added resistance, place a dumbbell or weight plate on your pelvis.
Get Ready: Lie on your back on the floor with your knees bent and your heels on a small medicine ball. Go: Contract your abs, then squeeze your glutes and hamstrings to thrust your hips upward. Hold for a count, then lower yourself three-quarters of the way back to the floor, keeping your abs contracted, and repeat.
Kim's Tip: "Keep your head on the floor. Doing this with your head up is a good way to pinch a nerve in your neck."

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Wide-Stance Leg Press

Degree of Difficulty:

Go: Unhinge the weight, then bend your knees to bring the platform toward your chest. Pause for one count, then squeeze your glutes and hamstrings to press the weight back up.

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Leg Press Kickback

Degree of Difficulty:

Go: Unhinge the weight, then press your foot back at a 45-degree angle by straightening your leg, squeezing the glutes at the top. Return halfway to the starting position, then repeat for reps.
Kim's Tip: "Don't arch your back. Make sure your foot is square so your toes are pointing straight down, and don't use a weight that's too heavy."

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Single-Leg Smith Machine Box Squat

Degree of Difficulty:

Overview: Do this near the beginning of your workout, when your legs are fresh and you can really focus on the glutes.
Get Ready: Set up an aerobic step inside a Smith machine and, resting the bar across your upper traps, stand with one foot on the platform and the other hanging straight down off the floor. Unrack the bar and extend your free leg forward at about a 45-degree angle while keeping the other foot planted
on the platform.
Go: Keeping your back flat, descend until your working quad is just past parallel to the floor. Press up through the heel, shifting your hips forward and squeezing your glutes to return to standing.
Kim's Tip: "Make sure you don't go too far down past parallel; anything more will put stress on the patella. Make sure not to bounce the motion."

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Single-Leg Stability-Ball Glute Cable Kickback

Degree of Difficulty:

Overview: Working one leg at a time helps erase muscle imbalances; try using different ranges of motion to see what works best for you.
Get Ready: Attach an ankle collar to a cable pulley at the lowest setting. Wrap the strap around one ankle, then step about three feet away from the pole. Lie facedown on a stability ball so your stomach and upper thighs rest on it, then place the toes of your nonworking foot on the floor behind you and your hands shoulder-width apart on the floor in front of you.
Go: Lock your ankle and, keeping your knee slightly bent, curl your heel toward the ceiling, keeping your hips pressed into the ball. Hold for one count and squeeze your glute, then slowly lower your toe back to the floor.

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For added resistance, hold a pair of dumbbells.
Get Ready: Stand facing away from a wall with a stability ball between it and the small of your back. Your feet should be in front of your hips, slightly wider than your shoulders, with toes pointed out at 45-degree angles.
Go: Keeping your feet flat on the floor, squat down so the ball rolls up your back, until your quads are just past parallel to the floor. Hold for a count, then lift just your toes into the air to push through your heels as you rise back to the starting position, rotating your glutes and hams inward. Lower your toes back to the floor before starting the next rep.

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The Workouts

About Kim Oddo

During his 20 years of experience in the health and fitness industry, Oddo has trained more than 50 professional athletes and established himself as one of the top trainers and nutritionists for competitive figure, bikini and fitness athletes in the world.

His keen understanding of how to customize eating plans and training programs for each client has given him a special standing in the health and fitness community.

Oddo is the owner and operator of Body By O, a 3,000-square-foot personal- training facility in Temecula, California, and can be reached through bodybyo.com.