5 Secrets Of A Better Butt Toning Routine

Brazil Butt Lift Lower body sculpting moves for the Booty Makeover you've only dreamed about. Click here to learn how!

Some like it hot while others start to sweat the moment spring gives way to summer and they are faced with the heat of swimsuit season! But with many of us choosing warm weather destinations for vacations and get aways, swimsuit fit has to be a year round commitment.

If you spend the winter months cuddling up to one too many comfort foods, you're probably cringing at the thought of hitting the pool or beach. No butts about it: you need an effective butt toning routine... and you need it NOW!

Chill out. You can have a better butt with the help of fitness expert Michael Stefano. The author of The Firefighter’s Workout (HarperCollins) has the hottest butt firming routine in town. Michael says the answer to your tush troubles lies in the proper strength training workout.

But, it takes more than strength training, cardio and proper diet to boast the best buns around. You also need Michael's 5 secrets to a better butt. You'll consider this bonus the golden rules for toning ALL your trouble spots... from head to toe.

1. Apply perfect form with the right resistance. From the proper stance to the proper posture, form is everything. If you dont follow the instructions to the letter, you wont get the results. Whatever method youre using, make sure you choose the right movements and adhere to proper form.

2. Make sure you have the proper intensity. While most men are too intense, most women arent intense enough. When we talk about intensity, were talking about muscle fatigue. You have to work to some level of muscle fatigue. You should feel a slight burn or discomfort due to the release of lactic acid. If you cant make another move, youve probably gone too far. Proper intensity is absolutely essential.

3. Control the number of sets and reps. You want to be between the 12 to 20 range, but you still want to hit muscle fatigue. If you need to increase the intensity of your workout, dont increase the reps or sets. Instead, add weights or resistance. Staying in the 12- to 20-rep range will accomplish both toning and fat burning.

4. Get adequate rest and recovery. You cant do these exercises every day or youll overtrain the muscles or set yourself up for injury. Allow for 48 to 96 hours rest between each workout. In other words do no more than two to three sessions a week. Another crucial element: the proper amount of rest time between sets. When performing Michael's circuit training workout, rest one to two minutes between sets. This makes it a somewhat aerobic, fat-burning workout. Keeping rest to a minimum enhances the fat-burning effect of the workout.

Bottoms up: here is Michael's ultimate butt-toning workout. Perform 12 to 20 reps of the step up (each leg). Then move directly to 12 to 20 reps of the squat. Complete the set with 12 to 20 reps of the standing kickback (each leg). Rest one to two minutes and repeat the entire set two more times with a one to two minute rest in between.

STEP UP
Place your right foot flat on the step and your left foot flat on the floor. Exhale and push off as little as possible with the left foot as you bring both feet up to step level. Inhale and lower your left foot to the floor. Repeat to muscle fatigue (in the range of 12 to 20 reps). Repeat with the legs reversed.
Intensity Booster/Reducer: Adjust step height, hold dumbbells or perform all reps with one leg before making the switch.

SQUAT
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding dumbbells at your sides. Keep the head held straight while you maintain the natural arch in your back, knees are soft. Inhale as you bend at the knees and hips to a sitting position, or as low as you can comfortably go without pain or discomfort in the lower back or knees (squatting down half way will still get remarkable results). Allow the arms to swing forward for balance. Your buttocks never drop below the level of your knees, and your knees do not extend beyond the toes. Exhale, slowly rising to a standing position, with knees and hips straight, allowing the arms to drop back to your sides. Ideally, select a resistance level (body weight or dumbbells) that enables you to hit muscle fatigue in the 12- to 20-repetition range.
Intensity Booster/Reducer: Hold dumbbells (as shown), perform at a slower pace (squat down to a slow count of 8, and back up to a slow count of 4) to increase resistance. Do half squats to reduce intensity.

STANDING KICKBACK
Stand holding the back of a chair or bench for balance. With your feet together, rotate your right foot to the right with all the rotation coming from your hip joint. Exhale and in a very slow and controlled motion with the right foot rotated out, without bending your knee, lift the right leg (with all motion at the hip joint) behind you. The actual movement will only be a slight lift. Inhale and slowly lower leg to starting position. Repeat to muscle fatigue (in the range of 12 to 20 reps). Repeat with legs reversed.
Intensity Booster/Reducer: Ankle weights can be used to add intensity, while reducing the height of the lift will reduce it.