10 Best Barbell Glute Bridge Alternatives for Home & Gym

Ranked Barbell Glute Bridge Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Barbell Glute Bridge on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page. Harder versions are tagged as progressions and kept out of the top spot even when they score higher.

1. Best match

   Play demonstration

   1. Kettlebell Swing

   87% match

   • Glutes
   • Kettlebell
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   A good swap when you have a kettlebell to work with, and it still works the glutes.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes pointed slightly outward.
   2. Hold the kettlebell with both hands in front of your body, arms extended.
   3. Bend your knees slightly and hinge at the hips, pushing your butt back.
   4. Swing the kettlebell back between your legs, keeping your arms straight and maintaining a flat back.
   5. Drive your hips forward and swing the kettlebell up to shoulder height, using the momentum generated by your hips.
   6. Allow the kettlebell to swing back down between your legs and repeat the movement for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Barbell Glute Bridge
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Barbell Glute Bridge
   • Body position: standing, not lying on your back
2. Play demonstration

   Progression

   2. Barbell Glute Bridge Two Legs On Bench

   95% match

   • Glutes
   • Barbell
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   Pick this when you want a harder version that still works the glutes.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Start by sitting on the edge of a bench with your upper back resting against it and your feet flat on the ground, hip-width apart.
   2. Place a barbell across your hips, holding it securely with both hands.
   3. Engage your glutes and core muscles, then press through your heels to lift your hips off the bench, creating a straight line from your knees to your shoulders.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, squeezing your glutes.
   5. Slowly lower your hips back down to the starting position.
   6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Barbell Glute Bridge
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Barbell Glute Bridge
   • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Barbell Glute Bridge
3. Play demonstration

   Progression

   3. Barbell Lying Lifting (On Hip)

   95% match

   • Glutes
   • Barbell
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Lie flat on your back on a bench with your feet flat on the ground and your knees bent.
   2. Hold the barbell with an overhand grip and position it on your hips.
   3. Engaging your glutes, lift your hips off the bench until your body forms a straight line from your knees to your shoulders.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your hips back down to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Barbell Glute Bridge
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Barbell Glute Bridge
   • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Barbell Glute Bridge
4. Play demonstration

   4. Band Hip Lift

   84% match

   • Glutes
   • Band
   • Beginner
   • Compound

   A good swap when you have a band to work with, and it still works the glutes.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground.
   2. Place a resistance band just above your knees.
   3. Engage your glutes and core muscles.
   4. Press your heels into the ground and lift your hips off the floor, squeezing your glutes at the top.
   5. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your hips back down to the starting position.
   6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Barbell Glute Bridge
   • Equipment: a band, not free weights
   • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Barbell Glute Bridge
5. Play demonstration

   5. Glute Bridge Two Legs On Bench

   81% match

   • Glutes
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   Use this when you have nothing to train with, because it works the glutes with bodyweight alone.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on the edge of a bench with your back against it and your feet flat on the ground.
   2. Place your hands on the bench beside your hips for support.
   3. Engage your glutes and hamstrings, then lift your hips off the bench until your body forms a straight line from your knees to your shoulders.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your hips back down to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Barbell Glute Bridge
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Barbell Glute Bridge
6. 

   Progression

   6. Barbell Hip Thrust

   80% match

   • Glutes
   • Barbell
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   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.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Barbell Glute Bridge
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Barbell Glute Bridge
   • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Barbell Glute Bridge
7. Play demonstration

   7. Rear Decline Bridge

   80% match

   • Glutes
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Lie on your back with your feet flat on the ground and your knees bent.
   2. Place your arms by your sides with your palms facing down.
   3. Engage your glutes and hamstrings, and lift your hips off the ground until your body forms a straight line from your knees to your shoulders.
   4. Hold this position for a few seconds, then slowly lower your hips back down to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Barbell Glute Bridge
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Barbell Glute Bridge
8. 

   8. Hip Lift With Band

   79% match

   • Glutes
   • Band
   • Beginner
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. After choosing a suitable band, lay down in the middle of the rack, after securing the band on either side of you. If your rack doesn't have pegs, the band can be secured using heavy dumbbells or similar objects, just ensure they won't move.
   2. Adjust your position so that the band is directly over your hips. Bend your knees and place your feet flat on the floor. Your hands can be on the floor or holding the band in position.
   3. Keeping your shoulders on the ground, drive through your heels to raise your hips, pushing into the band as high as you can.
   4. Pause at the top of the motion, and return to the starting position.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Barbell Glute Bridge
   • Equipment: a band, not free weights
   • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Barbell Glute Bridge
   • Balance: easier to stay steady on than the Barbell Glute Bridge
9. Play demonstration

   9. Bench Hip Extension

   79% match

   • Glutes
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on a bench with your back against the bench and your feet flat on the ground.
   2. Place your hands on the bench for support.
   3. Engage your glutes and hamstrings, then lift your hips off the bench until your body forms a straight line from your knees to your shoulders.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your hips back down to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Barbell Glute Bridge
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Barbell Glute Bridge
   • Balance: easier to stay steady on than the Barbell Glute Bridge
10. 

    10. Butt Lift (Bridge)

    79% match

    • Glutes
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound

    How to perform this exercise

    1. Lie flat on the floor on your back with the hands by your side and your knees bent. Your feet should be placed around shoulder width. This will be your starting position.
    2. Pushing mainly with your heels, lift your hips off the floor while keeping your back straight. Breathe out as you perform this part of the motion and hold at the top for a second.
    3. Slowly go back to the starting position as you breathe in.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches

    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Barbell Glute Bridge
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Barbell Glute Bridge