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News.com.au
11 hours ago
- Health
- News.com.au
Why fitness bros are embracing the ‘big butt' trend
We've all heard the joke – that 'glute days' were something straight men skipped, and even mocked. The focus was always on having big arms or a six-pack, because that's what women liked. But now, straight men around the world are no longer neglecting their backsides and are focusing on exercises to give them a 'shelf-like butt'. Fitness bros are now fighting to use the hip thrust machine and swapping chest presses for dead lifts. Meanwhile, thousands of men are flocking to pilates classes, which is only adding to the idea that they're more focused on their glutes than ever. And the fact that over 400 men in the U.S. had Brazilian butt lifts last year backs this up – pun intended. Even brands are embracing the trend, launching male butt-enhancing leggings, underwear, and chinos. 'It was once laughed at,' said fitness coach John Rusin to GQ. 'And now people are standing in line at commercial centres to use the hip thrust machine.' Social media feeds reflect this change, with male fitness influencers talking directly to their followers about how to grow their glutes. But why has this shift occurred, and what are the potential fitness benefits? Reason behind the shift Like with most fitness trends, there's no one single reason for the change. Some fitness buffs simply want to look good from all angles. For others, it's about how stronger glute muscles help power other exercises, from lifting to running. For some, like Sydney-based gym-goer Jake, 35, growing his glutes was all about helping his lower back issues. 'I knew that I needed to grow my glutes to strengthen my lower back area,' he told 'The bigger glutes I gained from my rehab exercises were never a priority, but a nice bonus.' Rusin says this isn't an uncommon story. Strong glutes are known to help you move better: protect the knees; support the hips; and reduce lower back pain. 'Whether you're a man or woman, you can't afford not to train them,' he explained. Another reason for the shift is that male aesthetic trends often follow queer trends, and gay men have long appreciated a good butt. And the GQ writer suggests that female preferences are changing too, with 81 per cent of women who date men saying they 'love a good man butt'. Gyms are catching onto this shift, with companies like F45 now adding more glute-focused training to their workouts. 'We're adding more unilateral movements like single-leg RDLs and split squats, as well as sled pushes and hip-dominant step-ups. This is becoming more popular,' a spokesperson for F45 told the outlet. Tide is turning Jake says he's embracing the trend and will keep prioritising lower-body training. But he notes there has long been a stigma around these types of exercises for guys in his fitness community. 'I think focusing on glutes specifically has always come with a bit of a giggle,' he said. 'There's this idea that no one wants to be thought of as the guy who wants a good booty. But if you're skipping leg day, you're missing out – and you'll be the guy on the beach in summer too afraid to wear budgie smugglers. 'Drop the ego and drop your third upper body day of the week.'
New York Post
2 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
Here's why gym bros want big butts now — for themselves
Men like big butts and they cannot lie. For decades, straight men often ignored their glutes in the gym, not wanting to draw attention to their butts and focusing rather on their abs or biceps. Now, the derriere is having its day. Many fitness influencers are now tailoring their content to show men their go-to exercises for a 'shelf-like butt,' and more and more men are showing up to Pilates and other classes that focus on the glutes. 'It is trending more the last few years than the last few decades in my career,' John Rusin, a physical therapist and personal trainer with Pain-Free Performance, told GQ. 'It was once laughed at. And now people are standing in line at commercial centers to use the hip thrust machine.' Conversations around male bodies and physiques aren't as common as the same conversations had around female bodies. Other than the 'dad bod,' the societal standard for male body seems to have remained the same: broad shoulders, big arms, sturdy chest, mostly ignoring the lower body altogether. 'The ability to have a bigger, broader shoulder, a V taper-style of torso — it's the separator from men and women many times,' Rusin explained. 'Many men think it's more masculine to be able to have bigger, broader shoulders, big chest, biceps, upper body. The lower body just goes to the wayside.' But times are changing. 3 For decades, straight men often ignored their glutes in the gym. arvin – 'I've seen a major evolution in how men approach glute training, and we're seeing a growing focus on functional glute strength,' Juddy Ferguson, F45 headquarters senior athletics educator, said. GQ spoke to several fit fellas about their glute goals. 'When I started taking fitness more seriously, a nice butt became my top goal,' said 33-year-old Rich, adding that he was drawn to the killer cabooses of the superheroes he read about in comic books. Kevin, also 33, added that his butt is the body part he gets the most praise for from both men and women. 'I have a huge ass that has been used as a pillow,' he confessed, adding that 'people notice' his butt and it's certainly played a role in his love life. 3 More and more men are showing up to Pilates and other classes that focus on the glutes. photology1971 – Ass aesthetics do pay off in the dating field — as a GQ poll revealed that a readers indeed 'love a good man butt.' 'There's nothing worse than a guy that has a great upper body but two toothpicks for legs,' Taylor, 29, told GQ. 'My boyfriend has a literal shelf butt and looks really strong. So much of the power when he's doing sports — or having sex, TMI — comes from the lower half of his body.' 3 The aesthetics of a good butt may help men out in the dating field, too. chok1234567 – However, not every guy is willing to go the extra mile for a well-endowed rear. While over 90% of Brazilian butt lift patients are women, more than 400 men in the US got BBLs in 2023 — and the interest keeps growing. According to Allure Esthetic Plastic Surgery, a 'male BBL' is specifically customized to leave a more sculpted and masculine contour, ensuring that it looks 'proportionate and natural to the male physique.' A good butt isn't just a sight to see — it's also a sign of psychical strength. 'The glutes are the powerhouse of the entire body,' Rusin said. 'They sit on the backside of the hip, which is the second most mobile joint in the body, and are really active in every single movement that you could possibly think of.' 'Whether you're a man or woman, you can't afford not to train them,' he added.
