Knee pain is more common than you might think, but what really sucks is when it starts interfering with your everyday activities, preventing you from doing what you want. However, if one of those ‘wants’ happens to be ‘building an awesome butt’, you’re in luck, because in this article I’m going to run you through some great butt exercises for bad knees.

Weak Knees? You Can Still Get A Great Butt Workout

Many people can get pain in the knees when doing standard butt exercises like the squat and lunges. This can make training your glute muscles hard, especially if you don’t know many other glute exercises (I know I didn’t know of many butt exercises at all before I started this site!), and in particular, glute exercises that are easy on the knees.

If you have weak or temperamental knees but still want to get a great butt through exercise, don’t worry! I’ll be sharing some knee-friendly butt exercises with you further on in this post, so you don’t have to miss out on the benefits of having a great butt.

What Causes Knee Pain When Working Out Your Glutes?

Let’s first take a quick look at why your knees can start hurting when you do butt exercises.

I myself have a bit of a dodgy right knee, that often can get irritated for no apparent reason. When this happens I get a bit of swelling and quite literally cannot bend my knee much past 90 degrees without discomfort. This used to kill my butt-building workouts dead in the water (before I learnt about the knee-friendly moves I’m going to show you later).

Now I know better, I can continue to work out my glutes even when I do get a flare up of my knee, so I’ll share with you what has worked for me.

The first reason why I find that knee pain or discomfort happens when doing butt workouts is that many of the traditionally popular butt exercises heavily involve the legs, and in such a way that puts a good deal of pressure/stress on those poor knees. Think squatlunges, deadlifts, or sometimes also any other exercises that involve a deep bend in the knees with a lot of force applied.

Bad Form = Knee Pain

One of my theories is that knee pain occurs when you have bad form, or are trying to complete a movement that your body is not ready for yet. For example, if you are not accustomed to squatting, and then try and do deep squats, with weight, you are probably going to hurt your knees. Proper form is essential, and even more so if you are intending to make exercises more challenging by using weights.

knee
Knee joints can complain for all sorts of reasons. If you think you might have a physical problem with the joint area, then it might be worth getting it checked out by a physiotherapist.

Weak Glutes and Leg Muscles Can Contribute to Knee Pain

Another reason why knees can complain when doing butt exercises is that the supporting muscles may be weak. There are a whole range of muscles which support your knees and allow them to ‘track’ correctly, and trouble-free operation involves correct recruitment and use of all of the surrounding muscles.

Your quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes (!) are all big players when it comes to healthy knees, so the good news is that the more your train your butt and legs, the more you should theoretically be helping support those knee joints. Strengthening these muscles actively help to support the knee joint when performing daily tasks and other movements.

Another muscle that is essential for correct movement, AKA ‘tracking’ of the knee is the Vastus Medialis Oblique (or VMO for short). This muscle is responsible for stabilising the kneecap and knee joint in general. If you find that your knees are quite troublesome, I would suggest checking out the video below to learn about where the VMO is located and how to exercise it. This should allow you to gauge if your VMO is working correctly, and strong VMO muscles will help you to achieve less knee pain when tackling the butt exercises we’ll be looking at.

Butt Exercises That Don’t Hurt The Knees: The Theory

In my experience, the main thing that helped me when trying to still get a good butt workout even though my knee(s) were playing up is to choose butt exercises that don’t load up or put unnecessary stress on the knees.

A lot of the butt exercises that I found were easy on the knees are floor exercises, done from a lying or horizontal position, rather than standing exercises like squats. With standing exercises you have your entire body weight on top of your knees, while with the floor exercises that is completely removed. Unloading the knees like this can give some good relief but still present a challenge to your butt if you are doing the right moves. I can just hear my knees sighing in relief even just thinking about it!

What Are The Best Butt Exercises For Bad Knees?

So without further ado, let’s get into it. This list is some of the exercises that I would recommend for those with weak knees that can often complain! A lot of this  is based on my own experience and what I have found works for me.

Most of them are floor exercises. If you do find that kneeling hurts your knees, you could try using a pillow under the kneeling knee to cushion yourself a little. If that’s no good, then you might want to try the moves that don’t require kneeling, like supermans, lying side leg raises, or kickbacks from a standing position.

 

All of the below exercises have been featured on our Best Butt Exercises page, so if you see one that takes your fancy, just click through on the name to see the full post about how to do the exercise correctly. Easy!

 

Knee-Friendly Butt Exercises, Straight Leg

Straight Rear Leg Lifts

A definite favorite of mine, this move is great for when I have sore knees as it removes the load from the working leg. The higher you lift your leg, the more you’ll feel it in your butt.

This is a staple butt exercise and definite favorite of mine. No equipment necessary!

 

Kickbacks

Try theses kickbacks initially without any cable machine, just using bodyweaight. They are basically the same as the straight rear leg lifts, but if you do them on a bench as shown you can get a bit more range of motion that will help you target those glutes. You can also do these standing if you find that the kneeling position hurts your knees.

The difficulty of kickbacks can be increased by increasing the range of motion of your leg, and adding resistance through a cable machine or ankle weights. Image credit: 1st Phorm via Youtube

Plank with Leg Raise

Leg raises to the rear really target the butt and keeping your leg straight should keep any unnecessary stress off those knees.

I recommend starting out with these ones just on the ground. Doing them with your supporting foot on a ball is quite advanced and makes this a very demanding core/balance exercise, but feel free to work your way up to that if you’re so inclined!

Plank With Lateral Kicks

A butt move that will also tone your abs and core (or maybe that should be the other way around!), adding lateral kicks to a plank is a great way to turn it into a butt-blasting move.

Standard ‘plank’ exercise pictured above, but if you add a lateral kick it turns this move into a proper glute burner! photo credit: suanie via photopin cc

Lying Side Leg Raises

Lying side leg raises will work your butt and inner and outer thighs. Goodness!

 

 

Supermans

Supermans are very unlikely to bother knees as they are done with straight legs and virtually no loading through the knee. Great for the butt and back.

 Image credit: PAWG via Youtube
Image credit: PAWG via Youtube

Knee-Friendly Butt Exercises Which Involve a Bent Knee

The following exercises do involve a little bit of bend in the knee of the working leg, but the important thing is that you’re not loading up the knee joint much at all. I’ve found these not to trouble my knee when it flares up, but if you do experience trouble with the amount of bend, then you can also try them while limiting the amount of bend in the knee joint.

 

Donkey Kicks

Donkey kicks are a variation of straight leg raises. Hopefully they shouldn’t trouble your knees!

Froggy Glute Lifts

This move is a real butt burner, seriously. There’s basically no loading of your knees so you shouldn’t have pain unless you have some mobility or flexibility issues with bending your knee as shown.

 Image credit: FITNESS magazine via Youtube
Image credit: FITNESS magazine via Youtube

Clamshells

I love clamshells as they work into the sides of your butt, which is often hard to target! You can do these with or without a resistance band (shown with the band in the image below). I’d suggest starting without and just focusing on slow and controlled movement just to perfect your form first.

Image credit: MikeReinold.com via Youtube
Image credit: MikeReinold.com via Youtube

Bird Dogs

This move doesn’t  look like a butt exercise at first, but if you can really focus on engaging your glutes as you extend out your leg, you will feel it in your butt, and at no expense to your knees!

Hip Extensions

Hip extensions are great because they are another  floor exercise where your knee is not loaded up from your bodyweight. Once you’ve got the hang of these, you can add a little resistance by using a resistance band.

 

Low Knee-Stress Butt Exercises

I find that the following exercises may cause a little bit more stress in the knee than the previously mentioned exercises, but are still very achievable for me when I have a sore knee or knees.

Resistance Band Monster Walks

With the monster band walk, the key is to keep the squat very shallow to keep the stress loading off your knees. You just want a slight squat in order to engage the glutes the whole time you are taking your sideways steps.

 Image credit: GPS Human Performance Home of CrossFit Reillyvia Youtube
Image credit: GPS Human Performance Home of CrossFit Reillyvia Youtube

Glute Bridges

I find glute bridges place a tiny bit of stress on my knees, but because there’s not really much load I can still use this exercise when my knees are complaining. The good thing about the glute bridge is that it will also work your hamstrings which can help stabilize those knees. The one-legged version of glute bridges I find to be a little too stressful on my knees so is definitely out when I’m having a flare up.

Image credit: Gamma Man via photopin cc

 

“No-Squat” Butt Workouts Can Still Target Your Glutes!

I hope the above list has given you some ideas and options for butt exercises that you  can do even if you have weak or grumpy knees! As you can see, you don’t have to squat to get a great butt.

I also found this video workout below which is a ‘no-squat’ butt workout if you prefer following along to workout videos.  It does include some one-legged glute bridges though which can be a little hard on the knees in my opinion, so if you have trouble with those, just do the basic glute bridge version.

 

Weak Knees Doesn’t Mean You Have To Have a Weak Butt!

So there you have it, you can still get a great butt workout even if you have bad knees – it’s just a matter of choosing exercises that won’t irritate your knee joints and will still target your glutes. I hope I have given you some ideas for exercises today, and would love to hear from you if you think I’ve missed any!

Do you have weak knees and has it ever stopped you from working out your glutes? Let me know your story by leaving me a comment below!

Butt Exercises For Bad Knees? These Glute Busting Moves are All Knee-Friendly
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17 thoughts on “Butt Exercises For Bad Knees? These Glute Busting Moves are All Knee-Friendly

  • July 25, 2016 at 9:16 am
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    kickback is great exercise thanks jolie

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    • July 26, 2016 at 12:52 pm
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      You’re welcome Ajitesh, thanks for stopping by!

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      • August 19, 2016 at 8:33 am
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        Kickback and squats are good exercises.I’m doing it for 1 and half month with right nutrition. My butt shape changed and it looks good. Thank you Jolie

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        • August 19, 2016 at 8:43 am
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          Awesome Ajitesh, that’s just due to your hard work and consistency! Thanks for commenting back with your results (keep it up!)

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          • August 20, 2016 at 9:17 pm
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            I have problem with my butt. It’s size is increased but my hips are getting squeezed. What to do?

          • August 22, 2016 at 6:09 am
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            Hey Ajitesh,
            Great to hear you are getting some size increase with your butt! I’m not too sure what you mean when you say your ‘hips are getting squeezed’, do you mean your butt shape looks a bit squished in at the hips (in which case you might be seeing something like hip dips), or do you mean it feels uncomfortable due to all the exercising (maybe you might need to do more stretching for your hips/butt)?

  • August 20, 2016 at 9:28 pm
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    I also have stretch marks on my butt.what to do?

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      • August 22, 2016 at 10:05 am
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        I have hip dents. How to bulk hips? Can stretch marks cream can fade stretch marks?

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        • August 22, 2016 at 10:57 pm
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          Hip dents are kind of hard to modify naturally since they are usually due to your hip bone structure (as I’m sure you can appreciate, it can be a bit difficult to change the shape of your skeleton!).

          There are a few things you can do to try and make them less noticeable – check out my post on hip dips to see in detail, but things like trying to slim down ‘muffin top’ fat (if you have any), dressing to down-play your hip dents, or maybe even trying something like Volufiline might help. In addition, you can try some exercises that try to target the sides of your butt (like Clamshells, or side lunges for example).

          Stretch mark creams can work for some people, but it can be a slow process! I’d suggest checking out any reviews on products that you are considering first. I know that needling (dermarolling) can produce results but it is also a bit of a slow process that requires consistency. It can be a bit hard to say because every individual’s body can react to things differently… unfortunately this means sometimes it can come down to just trying something to see if it works for you!

          Reply
          • August 23, 2016 at 11:32 am
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            Thank you Jolie

  • March 19, 2017 at 1:07 am
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    Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! This torn meniscus thanks you. The osteoarthritis thanks you … and I thank you!

    Reply
    • March 20, 2017 at 9:39 am
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      And I thank you right back, for putting a smile on my face when I read this!!

      Reply
  • April 12, 2017 at 5:25 am
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    I have back pain and can you suggest some exercises? So that I can try it at home.

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    • April 13, 2017 at 10:59 am
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      Hi Edgar, If you’ve got back pain I’d suggest maybe getting a personal trainer or physiotherapist to help you with implementing exercises. You don’t want to do anything that might make the problem worse. Good luck!

      Reply
  • August 19, 2017 at 2:30 am
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    No offense , but most of these ( if not all ) still are having knee involvement that can not only affect the knees but other areas in people ( I’d rather say patients who exhibit pain in one or more areas , be it joints or bones , as most ppl with knee pain also are prone to neck and back pain and muscle weakness that extends from calf to neck and shoulders and even into arms and palms of hands , when doing any exercise Bc of the impact and positioning during exercise , as well as the lifestyle and health factors that exist , creating a problem with being able to exercise pain free or with Minimal pain resulting from balancing , positioning and posturing as well as the mechanics of the exercise that must be enacted in order to achieve any results … as someone who has always been extremely healthy and has never had problems with appearance , until health conditions became so severe that I’ve bn bed ridden for over 2 years , I also suffer from autoimmune conditions such as mixed connective tissue disease and systemic lupus and spinal conditions that limit mobility / range of motion … i also have reflex sympathetic dystrophy and patella femoral syndrome ( which affects the knees more than words can say …) but one thing u could’ve easily expressed in this long blog ( Bc no offense but it took a WHILE to just get down to the point and illustrate the exercises … even tho I realize I’m having to express things on the personal end , related to my reasoning for disputing the content , apart from that as a viewer in search of relief when my pain prohibits me from exercising, ya almost lost me entirely with the on n on parts and I essentially scrolled down after a while just to get to the info I was searching for in the first place … ) but why not just say this … GET IN A SWIMMING POOL ??? Bc that’s the only way to effectively alleviate pain in multiple areas … you’re not basing ur info or insight on medical knowledge of the impact on muscles , joints and bones and causes of pain .. ur not providing exercises that truly have no – minimal damage .. for those who actually have medical conditions , id hate for them to try these exercises and regret them later .. even leg lifts and tightening of other surrounding muscles or kicking out can seriously affect the knees and other bones , tendons , ligaments and joints in those with primary and secondary conditions that happen to affect the knees. .. the pool is the only way to truly alleviate pain in the knees while working on the intended muscle groups .. i was hoping to get some new info in this blog but became frustrated and let down Bc not one thing listed would target the glutes without causing serious pain in not only my knees but neck and spine and shoulders as well. Bc I happen to have serious conditions that don’t allow for the motions n positioning mentioned .. those who have issues w/ knees need to strengthen the areas around them first … doing thigh and calf exercises n a therapeutic setting or methods derived from a physical therapy standpoint are the main starting points .. THAT will decrease the knee pain .. pain can’t be ignored. Nor can the origin or cause. For me , my knee caps slide out of place when I perform a range of motion or put pressure on them .. none of these protect my knees .. however , when I’ve created my own exercises in the water , I’ve bn able to strengthen and tone every muscle group without any pain increase and not even having to swim in order to achieve desired effects and get good relief to pain as well as doing cardio without feeling like I’m dying n pain .. that’s the way to go … and yeah not ev one can find a pool to exercise in … but for anyone who is able to , I have some very good exercises for those with medical conditions and severe pain .. I don’t intend to offend or be rude , I just think that these aren’t as legit as u claim .. u may not have serious conditions or pain and may not feel the impact but most ppl who come here are at their peak of frustration with pain n looking for a true low impact way that they can actually perform without complications .. the only other thing I’d add besides the pool ( and anyone wanting to know serval things to do that are easy and painfree can let me know n I’ll be happy to include them .. but one other thing is to lean on a surface like a table or dresser that comes high enough to where u can place ur palms on the surface leaning slightly while relaxing ur neck, head slightly bent not feeling any tension , keeping back aligned and kick leg behind u, or do leg lifts , either turning sideways placing one hand on surface and lifting opposite leg outward holding for a few seconds but lowering and not touching legs together , doing ten reps on each side , turning and putting hands down on surface with ur back to it , doing leg lifts , like high marches in place , letting most the weight be on ur hands being supported and not putting weight all on ur opposite knee and leg not being involved during lifting .. and facing surface ur leaning on , with flexed foot, raise leg up n out keeping straight or bending knee bringing knee toward ur chest , then extending outward either down and out or straight out behind u .. tightening glutes while doing these as well as holding abdominal muscles in but not letting any stress or tension be felt in back , shoulders or neck … either way , didn’t find these listed n this blog helpful for someone in my condition. Maybe they’ll help someone who truly doesn’t have significant pain , yet just feels discomfort placing knee on hard surface … but it’s most important to identify the knee problem n the first place … Bc none of this is going to help until the knee issue is addressed and measures taken to strengthen muscles around the knee. No offense but this blog was just lengthy and didn’t offer anything that won’t add to medical problems .. it’s important to give advice that doesn’t create a problem elsewhere and is careful to disclose to anyone with actual medical problems , the risks ..

    Reply
    • August 23, 2017 at 10:39 am
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      Thanks for your comment Kri, I appreciate you sharing your thoughts. I will update the post with some disclosures/disclaimers up front – you’re right, I am not a medical professional nor am I claiming to be, these were just some exercises that I’ve found don’t place as much stress on my knee joints (I too have some medical conditions which affect my joints and these particular exercises are ones I’ve found that seem to work for me when I’m having a flare up). BUT, you’re 100% right – they are not suited for everyone, especially if you have more severe issues with your knees.
      I’m really thankful that you’ve shared your ideas about doing pool exercises – I must admit I’d never even thought of that as an option! Your advice on strengthening the surrounding muscles around the knees is definitely something I agree with; and getting in a pool is an excellent way to get some extra resistance from the water while being super gentle on joints. Thank you! Would love to hear about some exercises that you have found work for you, cos I’d love to include a post about these on the site! If you are interested, please get in touch with me! I’ll also add some of the exercises you described to this post in an effort to improve it. Thanks again!

      Reply

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