How to Become a Glute Specialist in Less Time Than You Think

As a muscle group, glutes are pretty popular these days. For a lot of people, building glutes is all about an aesthetic look. Others realize how important the glute muscles are for stability, power, balance, and athletic performance in nearly every sport.

Whatever reason people have for focusing on glute training, the fact is that glutes are big business in fitness today. Get in on the trend as a glute training specialist that allows you to market yourself as a glute expert.

Glute Anatomy and Function

The glutes refer to a group of three muscles of the backside: gluteus maximus, medius, and minimus. They are involved in most motions of the hip and several important functional and athletic movements.

Gluteus Maximus

The largest and most powerful muscle in the glute group, the gluteus maximus is responsible for the shape and size of your glutes. This muscle plays a key role in hip extension, external rotation, and abduction, making it essential for movements like squatting, lunging, and running.

Gluteus Medius

Positioned on the outer side of your hip, the gluteus medius is crucial for stabilizing the pelvis and preventing it from tilting when standing on one leg. It is primarily responsible for hip abduction and plays an important role in hip stabilization during walking, running, and other dynamic movements.

Gluteus Minimus

The smallest of the three, the gluteus minimus works in conjunction with the gluteus medius to stabilize the pelvis. It assists in hip abduction and internal rotation and is important for overall lower body mobility.

Why Understanding Glute Function is Important for Effective Training

These muscles are essential for performing ordinary, daily movements we tend to take for granted and for doing them without injury or pain. Unfortunately, most people are sedentary for long stretches of time, which tends to weaken the glutes.

Many people focus on glutes for aesthetic reasons, but there are so many more benefits to building this muscle group:

• Strong glute muscles prevent injuries in the knees, hips, ankles, and even lower back. They stabilize the body and aid proper alignment.

• Because they affect alignment and stability, strong glutes give you better posture and balance.

• Glutes make you a better athlete. Strong glutes are essential for powerful movements and agility.

• Strong glutes relieve nagging pains, especially in the knees or lower back, by aligning the body properly and supporting efficient movements.

These are the reasons clients are likely to come to a glute specialist for expert, focused workouts that build strong backsides. And, remember that everyone can benefit from strong glutes. This includes older clients and non-athletes.

What You’ll Learn in a Certified Glute Specialist Course

As a fitness enthusiast, you might think you already know everything there is to know about training for glutes. You are probably more informed than the average gym-goer, but there’s more to it than you realize. Building glutes can be complicated, and the same strategy doesn’t work for everyone. Here are some of the things you’ll learn in a glute specialist program:

• How the kinetic chain works and involves and affects glute strength

• The anatomy and functioning of the lumbopelvic hip complex

• How to activate the glutes

• Common dysfunctions of glute and hip movement

• Specific glute-strengthening exercises

• How nutrition and supplements support glute strength

• How to build individualized client plans to meet specific goals

• How to assess, evaluate, and motivate clients to get results

• Professionalism, marketing, and other business skills for personal trainers

Check out this guide to using corrective exercises when building glutes to get a taste of the kind of detailed, specialized information you’ll get with your certification course.

Building strong glutes or getting a certain look back there is not as simple as it might seem. You can’t just do squats and expect to get the results you want. This is why clients need and will pay top dollar for glute specialists. You can get them real results.

How to Become a Glute Specialist – 4 Simple Steps

Fitness clients increasingly want to work on their glutes. You can cash in on this fact by becoming a glute specialist. Here’s how to do it:

1. Become a Personal Trainer

While this isn’t technically required to be a glute specialist, it just makes sense. If you aren’t already a certified personal trainer, start here. All specialists should have a foundation in basic personal training.

Personal trainer certification gives you the essential skills needed to train clients:

• Human anatomy and physiology

• Fundamentals of exercise and training

• How to assess and motivate clients

• How to create individualized workout plans

• Injury prevention

• Business skills

With the fundamentals of personal training and exercise, you’ll be ready to train clients immediately. You will also be prepared to expand your skill set into specialty areas clients are requesting.

2. Enroll in a Glute Specialist Certification Course

Once you have a personal trainer certification, you can build your career with any specialization that interests you and your clients. Enroll in a glute specialist course to learn how to specifically train clients for their glute goals. This includes aesthetic goals for a bigger booty as well as strength, performance, and injury prevention goals.

Most courses have few prerequisites. You should be at least 18 years old by the time you’re ready to take the exam. You should also be able to prove you have a current CPR/AED certification.

3. Complete the Course and Pass the Exam

Complete the self-paced course by reading the provided textbook and following the recommended guidelines for self-study and learning. Take regular quizzes to ensure you are mastering the material. Make use of any educational support provided to deepen your knowledge and get clarifications on complicated topics.

When you’re ready, take and pass the exam to get your certificate. The certification will last for a couple of years, and you can renew it by taking continuing education courses and submitting a renewal fee.

Learn more about the ISSA’s certified glute specialization course here.

4. Market Your New Knowledge and Skills

With your glute specialist certificate in hand, you’re ready to work with clients who need your skill set. One of the most powerful ways to grow your career is by building a strong personal brand. Your personal brand will help you connect with potential clients, establish trust, and position yourself as an expert in glute strength training and glute muscle growth.

• Define Your Unique Approach. How will you approach booty workouts, glute activation exercises, and glute development? Do you focus on rehabilitation? Are you more oriented toward bodybuilding and strength training? Perhaps your approach blends athletic performance with aesthetic goals.

• Establish Your Online Presence. Create a professional website where you can showcase your services, post client testimonials, and share educational content about glute training programs.

• Get On Social Media. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are ideal for fitness professionals. Post regular content. The more you post, the more you'll engage with your audience, creating a community around your brand.

• Engage with Your Community. Ask your clients for feedback and testimonials. Partner with other fitness professionals or local gyms. Host glute-focused fitness workshops or booty-building classes.

• Be Consistent and Authentic. Stay true to your approach and values. Whether you’re known for a fun, high-energy workout style or a more methodical, form-focused approach, staying true to yourself will attract clients who resonate with your specific philosophy.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Glute Specialist?

Online preparation to become a trainer has several benefits. One of these is that you can complete the certification courses on your own timeline. You don’t have to go to a classroom or adhere to a specific timeline determined by someone else.

Once you have enrolled in an online glute certification course, you could be ready to take the exam in just a couple of months. If you need more time because of home and work commitments, you can spend longer learning and studying.

Stay Up-To-Date: Continuing Education Courses, Research, and Trends

It’s important to keep learning and growing. Not only will this help you provide the best possible service to your clients, but it will also boost your reputation as an expert in glute strength training and glute muscle growth.

Stay Informed About the Latest Trends

There are always new methodologies and approaches being developed. Keep an eye on emerging exercises or variations that can target the glutes in fresh ways. Look for new glute training techniques, recovery and mobility tools, functional training movements, and tech and gadgets like smart wearables.

Attend Workshops and Conferences

Look for workshops and conferences focused on glute training and general strength and conditioning. Many fitness organizations and gyms offer specialized courses or annual conferences where experts share new research, exercises, and approaches. Network with other trainers at these events to build connections and share training tips.

Pursue Advanced Certifications

To become a true expert, consider pursuing additional certifications. Some fitness certifications focus on specialized areas such as strength training, muscle building, and rehabilitation—all of which can complement your glute training skills.

Stay Updated with Research and Evidence-Based Practices

Make it a habit to read research journals, studies, and articles related to glute training and strength conditioning. Follow experts and research institutions on social media who can keep you informed about the latest findings in the field. Peruse PubMed, Google Scholar, and other academic resources to find up-to-date studies. Search for topics like glute activation, muscle hypertrophy, and exercise science.

Ready to Get Certified in Glute Training?

ISSA’s Certified Personal Trainer – Self-Guided Study Program is a perfect starting point for a career in fitness. It provides a solid foundation that you can build on with specialized certifications.  

Already a personal trainer? Sign up for ISSA’s Certified Glute Specialist course. Whether it's for function, form, or figure - better glutes are the new #1 for clients. Make your clients' ideal glutes a reality with the first and only certification of its kind.