The Best Exercises To Build Strong Glutes, According To Jennifer Aniston's Trainer

Building a stronger bottom won't just make your body look better in denim. It can also help you prevent injuries, especially when you get older. That's why it makes sense to focus on exercising your glutes.

The glutes – the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus — are the muscles under the skin and fat that make up your fanny and surrounding hip areas. Unfortunately, these muscles are often under-targeted by people ages 50 and older, according to doctor of physical therapy Joe Palmer (via AARP). Explained Palmer, "When people have weakness, it's really in those, the primary hip stabilizers." (Here are some sneaky signs that you have weak glutes.)

In other words, it's time to get your rear in gear. And who better to be the cover "glute girl" than Jennifer Aniston? Now in her mid-50s, Aniston maintains a consistent workout routine that includes plenty of glute exercises. As she mentioned in a Pvolve question-answer session, "I love working out my bum." In fact, her Pvolve trainer, Dani Coleman, raves about the former "Friends" star's commitment and adaptability to keeping her whole body — including her backside — in shape. Noted Coleman to E! Online: "I haven't given her anything yet that she said 'no' to." 

Coleman doesn't just gush then stay hush about her celebrity client, though. On Fit&Well's Instagram, she shared some of the top glute exercises that she and Aniston do.

Two of the go-to glute moves that Coleman suggests involve leg lifts using resistance bands around your ankles. For the first exercise, lie on your side on a yoga mat or comfortable flat surface. Rest your head on your outstretched floor-side arm. Your body should be in a straight line. Coleman recommends stacking your hips to keep your form correct.

Keeping both of your legs straight, slowly lift your leg that's closest to the ceiling away from the other leg until you can't lift it any higher. Then, lower it back to the starting position. Do up to 20 of these repetitions for at least two sets before repeating the exercise with the other leg.

Next, switch your form to a side plank. Lie on your side, then prop up your torso with your floor-side arm. Use your bent forearm for stability. Stretch your other arm into the air as if you're reaching toward the ceiling. Then, "plank" by lifting your body off the floor so only your forearm and feet are touching the ground.

Once you're balanced, lift your upper leg just like you did when you were lying on the ground for the other leg lifts. Bring it down and then lift it back up and down for at least 15 seconds. You can increase the time to sets of 30 seconds as you get stronger in your glutes and abs. Repeat on the other side.

Another of Coleman's favorite routines to reshape the rear leverages a traditional single-leg squat motion. (Here's the real difference between single-leg squats and regular squats.)

Keeping your exercise resistance bands on your ankles, stand tall. Clasp your hands together in front of you and raise them up until they are in front of your nose. Your elbows should be bent. At this point, raise one leg out in front of you at an angle with your toe pointing up and your heel off the ground so you're balancing on the other leg.

Dip your body by slightly bending the knee of the leg that's on the ground. Keeping your other leg off the ground, lift and flex it forward, stretching the resistance band. Then, return to your original position. Do 10 of these leg-balancing semi-squats two or three times on both legs. You'll know you're doing them correctly if you feel a stretch in your outside glutes.

(Here are other glute exercises that actually work.)