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This is true right, that in order to build up the glutes squat exercises are the best ? ANy other thoughts and ideas are greatly appreciated guys.

Lunges.

Deadlifts (especially if you want to work the hamstrings instead of the quads -- I get enough of a quad workout when I bicycle.

I've always found that the hack squat machine leaves my buns burning the next day. Facing into the machine tends to work best.
My trainer used to have me alternate stepping one foot backwards off the platform and onto the floor. gets you a little deeper into the squat.

wow nycguy thanks for the tip. Id never heard of that one, I will have to try that it sounds awesome.

Another exercise to consider which targets the glutes: Lunges. For an added hit to the glutes, try standing lunges where you lunge forward onto an elevated (2 to 4 inches high) platform - steps from Step Aerobics Class work great for this. This will give you a greater flexion at the hip, stretching and loading the glutes even more. One warning: keep your front knee from extending beyond your front toes…especially if you’re knees aren’t the strongest. Added bonus: This is a great closed kinetic chain exercise!!

redbull saidwow nycguy thanks for the tip. Id never heard of that one, I will have to try that it sounds awesome.

Just remember you're going one leg, so your weight will be less than normal on the machine.

The romanian deadlift is a great one for targeting the glutes. Here's a link to an article on the exercise and execution of it:

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/issa63.htm

I believe there is a short video demonstration of it there too.

Squats are definately the best way to build up your rear end but if they are done improperly, it can lead to serious injury. They are the hardest leg excercise that probably is the reason why squats are number 1 because you work your glutes and legs the hardest.

Stair mill machine, butt blaster and a bucket of KFC will do the trick!

straight-leg deadlifts, squats, regular deadlifts, lunges, roman chair hyper-extensions, reverse leg-lifts with cable. all work.

I squat quite a bit and do 3 other intense quad exercises that also can indirectly work the glutes. I go low when I squat at the bottom and don't really get a lot of glute development. However, I find that walking lunges with a barbell resting over my shoulders for added weight is the best glute exercise.
I feel the biggest pump in my glutes from doing this exercise. It's uncomfortable to do but I do it because I have seen results. Now...'baby got back!"

Tip:
Squats will only really be effective for your glutes if you do low squats. This means that your thighs are parallel to the floor (putting your hamstrings a little past parallel). There is no need to go lower than that. Make sure the weight is channeled through the heels of your feet (curl your toes up if you need to to make sure). Engaging/contracting your core at the low turn-around point will help you move up in weight. Cheers.

The squat is the king of power movements. It his 256 muscles with one movement. The deeper the squat the more your glutes will be worked, but a properly done squat movement will develop your glutes.

The keyword is PROPERLY. I see more people do squats improperly and wonder why their quads or glutes don't develop or they get back injury. Here is how do do a squat correctly:

* Slide under the bar; place it on the trapezius a bit higher than posterior deltoid, and grasp the bar.
* SLIGHTLY arch the back, look ahead or straight up, and remove the bar.
* Step back about 2 steps, and make sure your feet are parallel to each other and facing shoulder-width apart. Bend forward from the hips. Avoid rounding the back.
* Lower under thighs are horizontal the the floor, then straighten the legs and return to initial position.

During the entire movement, keep your feet planted on the ground.

Advanced lifters can do deep squats, which means bringing your thighs slightly lower than parallel to the floor. The best way is to use a bench as the guide for how low you can squat. Unless you are doing very light weight, use a weight belt.

The mistakes most people make aqre using their back on the way up or not using their quada fully on the way down; the other most common mistake is to not have the feet firmly on the ground (leaning forward). This can quickly cause the back muscles to cramp in pain. It is usually temporary, but it hurts nonetheless.

I absolute agree with tarheel80.

Squats must be done properly to target the glutes; otherwise you are engaging other muscles and wasting your time.

Don't just mimic what you see others doing in the gym; most of them are doing it incorrectly. This is an exercise for which you should get guidance from a certified personal trainer who knows about kinesiology.

It wasn't until I got a good personal trainer that I really felt the burn in my glutes.

Good luck!

weighted lunges!, the longer the lu the more of the glute workout, the shorter the lunge the more quad workout.

All the Leg exercises that have been listed
are absolutely the way to go; no more than 10 reps
per set per exercise. And of course, you know you MUST keep your calories up. Minimum 10Xbody weight in calories per day if you are working out 4 times a week (Eat as CLEANLY as possible).

One exercise that I haven't seen anyone mention (maybe I missed it) is HEAVY leg presses. I used to only do Squats and Deadlifts, but I really got a GLUTE SWELLING goin on when I added 4 sets of 5-7 reps of Leg Presses.
I'm only doing 5 reps of 900lbs for my "heaviest set" but the Presses have made a NOTICEABLE difference.

I'm a certified trainer myself so I like to think I have some idea as to how to make a muscle group respond.
I always go slightly lower than parallel when squatting. I've placed 5lb plates under my toes to make sure that I am pressing solely on my heels to emphasize the quads. Now I just simply curl my toes up.
I also do power deadlifts and leg presses. However, my hamstrings develop too fast and my glutes can't catch up. When I've done leg presses with a high foot placement to work butt and hamstrings it seems to just work on my hamstrings. It must be how my body is designed.
The only movement that really targets my glutes is lunges, after doing 3 to 4 sets of 10 reps I feel like I can serve drinks on a platter placed on my bootie. That's how much they give me a pump.

All of the exercises mentioned are excellent, but (no pun intended!) what works best for me and my Clients are the following, done with all your weight on your heel only, to target best. 1. Single-Leg Leg Press, with your foot high and just off-centre of the foot-plate. 2. Split Squat with a Smith Machine, one foot up on a bench behind you. 3. Single-Leg Hack-Squat Machine, facing out. If your Glutes don't respond to these, add weight and drop reps to 4 or 6, and do 4 to 6 sets.

If you aren't quite sure what these "directions" are, send me a note and I'll clear up/change the wording for you. Rule # 1 "Always keep your weight on your heel."

So what would be good options for people like myself, with bad knees? I can do squats usually with no problem, but "single-knee" exercises, like lunges, cause pain -- any suggestions?

Knee issues...that sucks. What's wrong with your knees? Is the issue fixable?
I've had minor knee problems in the past but it was mildly chronic. I would use wraps to keep the area very warm and do a lot of warm ups.
Make sure to work out your hamstrings. Sometimes a strength imbalance can create knee pain. But I'm not sure what's wrong with your knees.
Also when I stretched my quadriceps on a daily basis I noticed that the pain in my knees went away. In my case, my quadriceps were so tight they were putting undue stress on my knees.

I've tried them all on myself and clients. Squats only engage the glutes as a support muscle. Try the other stuff for more direct engagement. Lunges and REVERSE lunges are great. The trick is to keep your weight on your heels and lean forward slightly. For a really good one try one-legged squats:

Stand with your back to a bench about two feet away. Hold a barbell on your shoulders - start light! Reach back with one leg and rest that foot on the bench. Now squat with the leg you're standing on. Weight on your heel, hips square, let your body lean forward as you go down to about the level of the bench. Focus on your butt as you do these. Feel it? I thought so. Do them slowly, you'll feel it more.
Let me know what you think.

holyrust saidI've tried them all on myself and clients. Squats only engage the glutes as a support muscle. Try the other stuff for more direct engagement. Lunges and REVERSE lunges are great. The trick is to keep your weight on your heels and lean forward slightly. For a really good one try one-legged squats:

Stand with your back to a bench about two feet away. Hold a barbell on your shoulders - start light! Reach back with one leg and rest that foot on the bench. Now squat with the leg you're standing on. Weight on your heel, hips square, let your body lean forward as you go down to about the level of the bench. Focus on your butt as you do these. Feel it? I thought so. Do them slowly, you'll feel it more.
Let me know what you think.

WHere did you come up with the statement "squats only engage the glutes as support muscle"? Look at any strength training anatomy book or instructor...properly done squats hit the glutes directly, along with other muscles.

If all one is doing is to work the glutes to get a better bubble butt, then by all means do lunges. But don't discount squats as an overall movement that will hit more muscle groups.

[quote]
"Holyrust says..."
Stand with your back to a bench about two feet away. Hold a barbell on your shoulders - start light! Reach back with one leg and rest that foot on the bench. Now squat with the leg you're standing on. Weight on your heel, hips square, let your body lean forward as you go down to about the level of the bench. Focus on your butt as you do these. Feel it? I thought so. Do them slowly, you'll feel it more.
Let me know what you think.[/quote]

Stepping upward and background is highly dangerous, especially with weights across your shoulders for added resistance. Even with my 18 years of experience with weigh lifting I wouldn't recommend that movement.

Squats, lunges, being a catcher, leg presses, box jumps, bicycling, spin class ... they all help.

Spanking works the glutes quite well.

And you've all been very bad boys.

K

PS I kid. Spanking only engages the glutes as a support muscle.