Did you know that the size and shape of your butt speaks volumes about your health and lifestyle? Your butt may not be the first thing people notice about you, but it sure can leave a lasting impression. So, whether your butt is big, perky and round, wide and flat or asymmetrical, it could impact your health either positively or negatively. Here are four things your butt reveals about you.
Big butt and health
Some people mistakenly think that a smaller butt is healthier. But the truth is, a rounder, big booty may just be healthier, according to a study published in the International Journal of Obesity. Researchers found that a higher percentage of fat in your behind is linked with a lower risk of developing heart disease and metabolic syndrome. It’s also related to healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
The fact is, when it comes to obesity-related health risks, it depends more on how much fat is stored in the abdomen. That’s because abdominal obesity is linked to increased blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Too much abdominal fat is also a predictor for the development of type 2 diabetes reports the study.
Perky round butts and stamina
The perkier and rounder your butt, the more stamina you likely have when it comes to walking, climbing and standing. Experts in fitness believe that the gluteus maximus may be the strongest muscle group in the body, according to PositiveMed. The gluteus maximus is the main extensor muscle of the hip and makes up a large portion of the shape and appearance of your butt and hips. These muscles help a bottom look perky and rounded. And since they do so much, these muscles have the potential to be very powerful. The gluteus maximus grows quickly — even with minor exercises. So, if you’re butt isn’t as perky as you’d like, start working your gluteus maximus every day.
Wide, flat butts and sitting too long
With so much time spent sitting immobile in front of a computer these days, it’s not surprising the shape of our bottoms change. So, if your butt is wide and flat, that’s a good indication that you’re sitting way too long. Research published in the Biophysical Journal found that when we sit too long throughout the day, adipocytes tissue — specific to storing energy as fat — influences neighboring cells, making them deform and distort. The result: a wide, flat butt.
So, what can you do to prevent your butt from becoming wide and flat? Work your gluteus maximus! It creates the shape of your butt. So, anytime you raise your thigh to the side, rotate your leg or thrust your hips forward, that’s your gluteus maximus at work.
The best exercises for your glues include:
Squats
- Stand with your head facing forward and your chest held up and out.
- Place your feet shoulder-width apart, maybe slightly wider.
- Extend your hands straight out in front, palms face down. This will help you balance.
- Begin to sit back, like you’re about to sit in an imaginary chair. Keep your head facing forward as your upper body bends forward a bit. Instead of allowing your back to round, let your lower back arch slightly as you descend.
- Lower yourself down so that your thighs are as parallel to the floor as possible.
- With your knees over your ankles, press your weight back into your heels.
- Make sure to keep your body tight, and push through your heels to bring yourself back to the standing position.
Deadlifts
A deadlift is a lift made from a standing position, without the use of a bench or other equipment. It’s really the only exercise that work the butt, upper thighs, hamstrings, lower back, upper middle back, abs and traps. This exercise is normally done with weights, but practice first without weights to avoid injury.
- Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent. Draw your shoulder blades together.
- Hinge forward bending at the hips, but don’t hyperextend your spine. Then, stand back up. Make sure not to curve your spine — keep it long.
Hip thrusts
- Lay on the floor with your butt slightly off the surface.
- Bend your knees to about 90 degrees, and make sure your feet are flat on the floor, knees pointing in a straight line towards your feet.
- Take a big breath in, blow your air out fully and brace your core.
- Squeeze your glutes.
- Lift up your hips and hold for a second or two. It’s very important not to extend beyond normal limits, so as to cause injury.
Glute kickbacks
- Kneel on the floor or on an exercise mat with your arms extended out in front of you. You should be in a kneeling push-up position with your arms shoulder-width apart.
- Lift your right leg, keeping it in line with your back. Contract your glutes and hold the contraction at the top for a second.
- Return to the starting position and repeat the process with your left leg.
Asymmetrical butts and implants
You may have celebrity butt envy, but know this: not all impressive bottoms are inspired by God or even exercise. Some of those “uplifting” butts come from plastic surgeons.
Also known as buttock fat transfer, the “Brazilian Butt Lift” takes fat from other parts of the body to enhance buttock shape and size. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that buttock implants are on the rise and are one of the fastest growing type of cosmetic surgery. On average, there was a buttock procedure done every 30 minutes of every day.
In fact, in 2015 there were:
- 14,705 buttock augmentations completed with fat grafting, up 28 percent from 2014 to 2015.
- 4767 buttock lifts, up 36 percent from 2014 to 2015.
- 2540 buttock implants, up 36 percent from 2014 to 2015.
But like all medical procedures, there is a risk. If your butt (or your favorite celebrity’s butt) is asymmetrical, there’s a good chance a butt implant has shifted.
The bottom line…
A great looking butt begins with good nutrition. You need to fuel your body to build muscle with foods like high-quality chicken, fish and lean beef. Additionally, you need to eat clean and incorporate healthy fats into your diet like olive oil, coconut oil, avocado and nuts. Before you know it, you’ll have a beautiful bottom that speaks volumes about your healthy attitude.
— Katherine Marko