You don't get a high, tight butt by sitting on it — just ask certified fitness trainer Amanda Lee (@amandaeliselee), whose butt has amassed more than 1.5 million Instagram followers.
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The 29-year-old didn't always have such a shapely figure: She started working out to sculpt the 98-pound frame that plagued her during high school. "There's nothing wrong with being skinny, but I was really self-conscious about it — I didn't have my first boyfriend until I was 21," says the Sarah Lawrence grad, who now works as a certified personal trainer and Pilates instructor. "Working out completely changed my life and confidence."
The Instagram account she began less than two years ago fueled her self-esteem even more — especially after a super-fan pitched her to Playboy, scoring her a modeling gig in the magazine. From there, she got a huge influx of fans, who now follow her for butt pics and the workout moves responsible for her increasingly famous backside.
[instagram ]https://instagram.com/p/6vr3VGJ8QI/?taken-by=amandaeliselee" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);" >
Of course Amanda's is not the first butt to find fans on Instagram — Jen Selter, who now has 7.4 million Instagram fans, sailed that ship first. "I follow her, but everybody does," says Amanda, who's never met Jen (or any other Instagram stars).
[instagram ]https://instagram.com/p/45RwaWmkcL/?taken-by=jenselter" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);" >
To sculpt a butt that's worth following, try Amanda's tricks and her signature workout (below):
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[instagram ]https://instagram.com/p/8Ot9byp8a3/?taken-by=amandaeliselee" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);" >
[instagram ]https://instagram.com/p/4DdVbGp8Wj/?taken-by=amandaeliselee" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);" >
"The hamstrings are the most important part of lifting your butt," Amanda says. This combo hits the hamstrings (hard!) plus the butt and outer thighs. Cycle through the exercises, then repeat the entire routine up to two more times.
1. Squat with Side Leg Raise
How to do it: Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart, feet facing forward and hands grasped together at chest-height. From this position, bend your knees to sink into a deep squat, keeping your shoulders over your hips. As you extend the legs to come back up to a standing position, shift your weight into your left heel and raise your right leg straight out to the side. Release the leg to the floor with control to complete one rep. Complete 25 reps, then switch sides.
Challenge: Hold a 9- to 15-pound weighed bar on your shoulders for 10 to 12 reps.
2. Swaying Bridge
How to do it: Lie on your back with bent knees and feet flat on the floor with your arms along your sides and palms pressed into the floor. From this position, lift your hips to raise your butt off the ground. Without touching the floor, alternate between raising your left hip, then your right hip to complete one rep. Complete 25 reps.
Challenge: Hold a 9- to 15-pound weighed bar or plate across your lap for 10 to 12 reps.
3. Squat Pulse
How to do it: Stand with your feet about shoulders-width apart with your feet facing forward and bend your knees to come into a deep squat position. Rise up about three inches, then sink back down to complete one rep. Pulse for 25 reps.
Challenge: Hold one 8- to 12-pound dumbbells in each hand.
4. Clams
How to do them: Lie on your left side with your left hand supporting your head, your right hand on the mat in front of you, and your knees bent and stacked. Bring your legs forward to align your knees and your hips. Keeping your toes together, lift your top knee and lower it with control. Complete 25 reps, then switch sides.
Challenge: Wear 1-pound ankle weights and extend the top leg.
5. Lifted Clams
How to do them: Lie on your left side with your left hand supporting your head, your right hand on the mat in front of you, and your knees bent and stacked. Bring your legs forward to align your knees and your hips. Lift your feet up off the ground. Keeping your toes together, open your knees your top knee and close them to complete one rep. Complete 25 reps, then switch sides.
6. Straight Leg Donkey
How to do them: Get onto all fours with your wrists underneath your shoulders and your knees underneath your hips. From this position, extend the left leg straight out behind you. Squeeze the butt as you raise the leg straight up and lower it to starting position with control to complete one rep. Complete 25 reps, pulsing at the top of the last rep for 15 counts. Then repeat on the opposite side.
Challenge: Wear 1-pound ankle weights.
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