Junk in the trunk = good. Junk under the taillights = bad. Nobody wants saddlebags – droopy, side butt flab that never really has a spot in your cute undies (or granny panties if you’re over 30) or jeans. KIDDING I don’t wear granny panties. I save those for post-baby (you know if you’ve been there). Mmmk moving on. Here is the best workout to say see ya to saddlebags.
These movements target the saddlebag problem areas in ways traditional squats or butt-blasting moves don’t. Once you focus your efforts on the bottom corner of your tush and start feeling that burn, you’ll know what I mean! Just remember, spot training on one part of the body just doesn’t work. Sorry to say. But incorporating these moves into a regular cardio and strength-training regiment, you can start seeing overall tone and improve the look and feel of you lower bottom. Maybe even give it the perk you’ve always wanted!
Standing Leg Lifts
To start, stand with your feel shoulder-width apart and lift your right leg out to the side just one or two inches off the floor and slightly behind your left leg, bringing your hands to prayer in front of your chest. Bend your supporting leg slightly and keep that bend the entire time. Next, lift the right leg up to your highest point, keeping your hips stacked directly under your shoulders (do not stick your butt out). Do 12-15 repetitions on the right leg, then the same on the left.
Curtsy Squats
Step your right leg behind your left and turn your left foot out slightly, hands in prayer in front of your chest. Bend both knees to execute a curtsey lunge and lean to your left, imagining you left elbow trying to touch your left thigh (but keep your chest up). Straighten your legs and come back to the original position. Do 12-15 repetitions on the left, then 12-15 on the right.
Fire Hydrants
Come down to an all-fours position on your knees, wrists directly under your shoulders. Roll your hips forward (towards your belly button) to eliminate any sway in your lower back. Next, bring your right leg off the floor slightly, then lift it up and out to the side, keeping your hips squared to the floor. Do 12-15 repetitions (lifts) on the right, then 12-15 on the left.
Outer Leg Lifts
Stay in the all-fours position and extend your right leg out to a right diagonal towards the back of the room. Check that your hips are rolled forward to eliminate the sway in your lower back and hips are square to the floor. Next, lift your leg off the floor to your highest position, then gently tap your toe back on the ground. Do 12-15 repetitions (lifts) on the right, then 12-15 on the left.
Clamshell Lifts
Lie on your right side, using your right forearm for support and placing your left palm in front of your waist. Bend both knees, making sure your knees and hips are in line. Keeping your toes together, lift your left knee up as high as you can, then drop your knee back down to meet the right. Next, extend your left leg back behind your body as you squeeze the right corner of your tush. Bring your leg back to the original position and do 12-15 repetitions (knee up, down, extend, back in) with your left leg, then flip to lie on the other side of your body and to 12-15 with your right leg.
Repeat this entire series at least 3 times throughout. Once you have completed it, try the stretch below.
Stretch
Lie flat on your back and cross your right leg over your left. Bend you knees and take hold of your shins or ankles. Lift your tailbone off the ground and try to bring your heels in towards your shoulders. Switch and stretch the other side.
For the best results, do this daily and embrace that burn! Then say see ya to saddlebags forever!
Want to target your bum with even more workouts? Try this Barre Booty At Home Workout and this Ultimate Buns and Guns Workout.
Fire hydrants are one of my favorites 😉 Always a go-to in my leg workouts!
ME TOO! Especially when you can totally hone in on keeping your hips squared to the floor and seat tucked, AMAZING exercise!
Saddlebags are my biggest problem area! Can’t wait to try this workout!
Ugh dang trouble zones! I hope this is super helpful for you Karin!
Walking isn’t enough. Sigh.
I know. Such a bummer! Neither is sitting on the couch, watching Netflix. DANG IT! 😉
Will definitely be adding these moves! I need to revamp my workout, it feels like it’s getting a bit monotonous.
I get so bored, so easily when it comes to working out! It’s nice to mix it up sometimes. Thanks Lara!
Those standing leg lifts are so much harder than they look! I need to remember to do them more often. Love this workout!
They SO are! Especially when you don’t let that lifting leg touch the ground. Thanks Blair!
Girrrrrl I’ve been doing clamshells like nobodies business… (half because of saddlebags, half because they seem to keep my ITBS at bay). ANYWAY- thanks for these other moves I’ll be sure to incorporate them. Also HEY to a fellow BGB Babe and Blogging Mama 🙂 So happy we connected!
Clamshell queen! Love it Emma!! You’ll love these other moves too. Ooooh I’m so glad you stopped by – I love support of other mama bloggers. It’s so tough to balance both and you totally get it!
Easy and effective! I’m all about it. I love finding moves like this. Thanks for sharing.
ME TOO. I love to just get it DONE. Thanks Nicole!
YAY for another excellent exercise tutorial! I always get jazzed up and ready to hit the gym whenever I read your inspirational posts. I’m a very visual person so I greatly appreciate all the wonderful photos too. 🙂
Ha I’m glad I pump you up Denay! I know photos can be so important to ‘get it’ so I’m happy to post them. Thanks for stopping by!
OH I love Curtsy squats! All these workouts are great! That is an area I always have to work on… as most women I’m sure. Great post!
Danielle | AccordingtoD.com
RIGHT?! Why don’t men ever get saddlebags? Not fair!
These are excellent moves! Thank you so much for easy to understand and step by step tutorials.
xoxo
January
http://www.thebouncyponytail.com/
My pleasure! It helps to do it right 😉 LOL!
Awesome post. I’m gonna have to try these moves next couple of workouts.
Great to hear Deynece! You go girl.
I do these exercises in barre and they are some of my favorites! So effective!
Greta | http://www.gretahollar.com
Awesome! They were totally inspired by barre. You are all over it girl!
This is a great routine! Fire hydrants burn so good 🙂
LOVE that burn. I mean, I hate it, but I love it after. You know what I mean 😉
This had me written all over it. I think I was BORN with saddlebags! Thanks!
Oh gosh you are too hard on yourself!!! Hopefully this circuit will be helpful for you Michelle!
Great list of exercises, my friend!! Gotta get those hip muscles working – I see weak glutes/hips so so much with personal training.
Wow that’s interesting! Good to know that these exercises help for that!
These are great moves…I will have to remember them! However, I find it hard with a limited amount of workout time to do lots of targeted exercises for different parts of the body. How do you balance working out all these areas while also doing general cardio and strength training?
I TOTALLY get it. Honestly, I do these during ‘down times’. Like if my hubby and I are watching TV after the baby is down, or if I’m just ‘playing’ on the floor with my little guy. These kinds of workouts are easy to just pick up whenever, wherever. The cardio and strength training ones are harder to fit in for sure! But these kinds of circuits you can sneak in 😉
Love the post title! Could use a bit of toning myself. Working on it and always appreciate new workouts.
Of course! Thanks Matt!
I should be doing these right now! 🙂 Great tutorial…thanks for sharing at Welcome Home Wednesdays!
I tend to fit it in when I’m binge watching all the shows I have recorded 😉
These are great! Thanks so much for sharing ways to get rid of those dreaded saddlebags!
Dreaded. Totally the word to describe ’em! You are welcome Lexi!