8 Best Glute Machines to Get Your Backside in Shape (2026)

OK, folks, our top pick for the best overall glute machine is the Freak Athlete Hyper GHD. It makes it to the top of this list because it features six machines in one—all of which target your backside. 

Which six booty-building machines does it include, you ask? Well, this Freak Athlete machine packs a serious punch with a glute ham developer, Nordic bench, 45-degree back extension, reverse hyper, hip thrust, and sit-up bench. 

GGR founder and expert product tester Coop Mitchell says, “The functionality exceeds the cost.” Coop gives this machine a 4.5-out-of-5-star rating for overall value in our Freak Athlete Nordic Hyper Review. He does warn, though, that the quality doesn’t match the functionality, meaning it’s not constructed from the best (or most sturdy) materials. That said, it offers unmatched training options and variety. 

While the sit-up bench won’t get your glutes flexing, the rest of the modalities provide essential glute training movements (and typically ones you can only find in commercial gyms). Overall, the Nordic Hyper GHD earns a 4-out-of-5-star rating for workout experience. 

With six machines in one, Coop didn’t expect all six functionalities to work perfectly. The Nordic bench, 45-degree back extension, hip thrust, and sit-up board work as they should. The glute ham raise (GHD) function is OK, but doesn’t offer the same stability as a stand-alone GHD machine. 

RELATED: Glute Exercises For At-Home Training

Where the machine falls short most, though, is the reverse hyper movement. Unless you’re really short, you won’t be able to get a full range of motion or load the reverse hyper like a traditional weighted pendulum (you can only load it with a resistance band). We don’t recommend buying this specifically for the reverse hyper functionality.

The REP Fitness Glute Ham Developer earns its spot as the best GHD machine for glutes due to its classic GHD construction—if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, we say. This design is tried-and-true for posterior chain development, providing athletes with a variety of ways to train the glutes, hamstrings, and other muscles in the posterior chain, like the erector spinae. If you need to start implementing accessory work to improve your deadlift, power clean, or snatch, this is one of the best ways to do it.

RELATED: Posterior Chain Exercises

We also appreciate this machine’s adjustability. Equipped with 13 total points of adjustment, it can accommodate athletes of various heights, as well as make different exercises more accessible and comfortable. For instance, you’ll likely need to adjust the machine differently for glute-ham raises versus GHD sit-ups.

With a 4.9-out-of-5 customer reviews rating (at the time of writing), it’s clear that customers love the REP Fitness Glute Ham Developer. One reviewer says, “Small female here, was able to put [it] together myself. [I] love the smaller footprint. Easy to use, nice, and smooth adjustments. [I] love being able to adjust to my 5’1” frame.”

Another raves, “I love the REP GHD. I love that you can adjust the footplate for people of different heights. My wife is 5 foot 2, and I’m 6 feet, so changing the footplate is handy.”

Our team hasn’t hands-on tested this REP GHD yet, but between the near-perfect customer reviews and our extensive experience with the REP brand as a whole, we’re confident in our recommendation. We’ll update this guide with our own testing data after hands-on trials.

Constructed primarily from 16-gauge steel, the REP Fitness GHD is sturdy, too, and backed by a limited lifetime warranty. The upholstery is only backed by a 30-day warranty, though. That said, in our experience, this type of vinyl upholstery typically lasts for years, even with commercial use (which we’re assuming you won’t be accommodating in your personal home gym). REP also offers free shipping on all orders and 30-day returns, though customers are responsible for return shipping. All things considered, we rate the customer experience at 4 out of 5.

Another feature we appreciate with the REP GHD is the integrated transport system. The machine weighs 150 pounds, which isn’t the heftiest nor the lightest GHD we’ve come across, but the built-in wheels at the base should make it fairly easy to move around.

The Bells of Steel Reverse Hammer takes everything our product testers appreciate about a traditional reverse hyper and uses the same footprint to incorporate a GHD machine, as well. This means you’ll have two glute-strengthening options in one convenient profile.

The reverse hyper is a well-known machine among strength and conditioning professionals, sports teams, powerlifters, and strongman competitors. It was invented by Louie Simmons, founder of the infamous Westside Barbell powerlifting gym. The idea of the reverse hyper is to keep the upper body still (and not loaded with weight) while targeting the gluteus maximus, hamstrings, and erector spinae through a pendulum-style extension. 

RELATED: Best Powerlifting Workout

Coop notes in the Bells of Steel Reverse Hammer review that this machine isn’t the most high-end unit he’s tested, “But it gets the job done,” he says. And for a price just under $1,400 (compared to other brands priced at several thousand dollars), it’s a no-brainer when it comes to value, earning a 4-out-of-5-star rating in this category. 

You’ll also be happy to know it offers tons of stability, earning a 4.5-star rating for durability and construction. It weighs almost 300 pounds, which might not be easy to move around your home gym but can serve as a sturdy machine that won’t rock or shake during even the heaviest reverse hypers. “More steel means more stability,” adds Coop. 

If you’re looking for a high-quality Nordic bench, the Shogun NORD-EX is our go-to choice. It’s super-stable, offers top-notch construction, is adjustable for different heights, and has a compact footprint. 

The Shogun NORD-EX earns a 4.5-out-of-5-star rating in both the stability and construction categories with a heavy steel frame, textured powder coat, and high-density molded foam. Additionally, GGR founder Coop Mitchell mentions the adjustable pop-pins are metal, not plastic, which will offer longevity to those moving parts. 

While the Shogun is like the Cadillac of Nordic benches, it also earns high scores for functionality. Coop gives the functionality of the NORD-EX a perfect 5-star rating because you’ll be able to perform progressive Nordic curls (at 15-, 30-, or 45-degree angles) which is essential to strength training beginners and experienced lifters alike. The Nordic curl is no walk in the park, and we advise you to take advantage of the highest 45-degree angle upon first use. 

RELATED: How To Do Hamstring Curls at Home

You’ll also be able to perform hyperextensions at a variety of angles running from 35 to 55 degrees. Both exercises are challenging with bodyweight alone, or can be scaled up with dumbbells and resistance bands for added intensity. 

Both exercises are excellent for activating glute muscles and coordinating proper function of your hamstrings and glutes, which is essential for your day-to-day activity. You can read more about the machine and the two exercises in our detailed Shogun NORD-EX review. 

The Force USA G3 is more than just a Smith machine. It’s a power rack, functional trainer, and Smith machine. Plus, you can use the G3 for chin-ups and landmine exercises (a low-hold landmine squat is quite the glute-burner), and the dedicated stirrup station can be used as a suspension trainer. 

The G3 could make your glute goals come true with how much variation you’ll have. With this all-in-one design, you’ll have the ability to perform heavy loads on a back squat in the power rack, hip thrusters in the Smith machine, cable pull-throughs on the functional trainer, and Bulgarian split squats on the suspension trainer. 

RELATED: How to Squat Heavier

Needless to say, the G3 earns a 4.5-star rating when it comes to versatility. “There’s a ton you get with this rack,” says Coop Mithchell, GGR founder and product tester. “Even the racks most similar to this don’t compare.”

Some of the best exercises for glutes take a little more creativity, like the Smith machine donkey kickback, which can be achieved by setting up in the quadruped position and “kicking” upward on the Smith machine bar. 

For how many lower body and glute exercises you can perform on the G3, it has a reasonable price tag of $1,999. We know that price isn’t cheap per se, but what you get makes this Force USA machine earn a 5-out-of-5-star rating for value. 

To learn more about the incredible value of this all-in-one machine, read our in-depth Force USA G3 review. 

If your home gym has the space for a leg press machine, this Titan Leg Press Hack Squat Machine might be the leg press of your dreams. It not only offers a traditional leg press option, but you’ll be able to do hack squats, too. While the leg press and the hack squat primarily target the quads, your glute muscles will also get worked in both exercises (in addition to your hamstrings). 

Buying a leg press machine for your home gym might seem a little excessive, but it can be an ideal option for anyone who wants to train heavy loads without bearing weight on the spine. You can no doubt get your glutes worked by using this Titan Fitness Leg Press Hack Squat Machine, but be aware that this is not a glute-specific machine that isolates the backside.

RELATED: Leg Press Workout

That said, if a leg press machine (plus a hack squat option) suits your specific training needs, Titan offers a pretty darn good option. It’s priced under $2,400, which we think is a killer deal for this type of machine, and it’s well constructed. Both categories earn the Titan Leg Press Hack Squat 4.5-out-of-5-star ratings. 

GGR founder and product tester, Coop Mitchell is impressed with the overall design. “Titan included thoughtful details like bronze bushings to prevent metal-on-metal wear over time,” says Coop. 

The downside to this machine is the size: 325 pounds and 7 feet in length. Because of this, the Titan earns a 3.5-out-of-5-star rating in the footprint and portability category. It may be 7 feet long, but it’s still less space than owning standalone hack squat and leg press setups. You can read more in our Titan Leg Press Hack Squat review. 

If you’re someone who needs the best portable home gym option to train glutes, the MaxPRO portable cable workout machine might be your best bet. The MaxPRO is not just for your glutes, either, it can provide a full-body workout in the same way a cable machine or functional trainer can with the ability to be used on the floor or mounted on the wall. 

You can expect to load up movements like squats and deadlifts with up to 300 pounds of resistance. You’ll even be able to perform single leg deadlifts, lunges, and floor exercises like kickbacks. While you might have to get creative to perform a hip thrust, overall, this MaxPRO earns a 4.5-star rating for versatility. 

As far as footprint and portability, this machine earns a 5-out-of-5-star rating. It’s under 10 pounds and under 3 feet long. It also folds in half to make transporting it around even easier. 

Besides the fact it’s super compact, it differs from a traditional cable machine because it doesn’t provide eccentric resistance. The MaxPRO, instead, only provides concentric resistance. You can think of concentric as the upward movement of the squat, not the eccentric or lowering portion. 

OG product tester and founder of GGR, Coop Mitchell notes, “I wish the MaxPRO had both eccentric and concentric capabilities, but I still enjoyed it and use it more than I expected to.”

The price is what may make you hesitate to add the MaxPRO to your cart. The basic package with just the cable machine starts at $999. It’s worth mentioning, though, that at the time of writing, it was marked down to $749. Even so, when it comes to value, the MaxPRO earns a 3.5-out-of-5-star rating. 

Folks choosing this option likely travel a ton and need something that offers quite a bit of resistance in a compact area. You can read our in-depth MaxPRO SmartConnect Home Gym review for even more details. 

There is a reason the Mark Bell Sling Shot Hip Circle is the GGR top pick for best resistance bands for glutes—it offers great glute and hip abductor activation on squats, deadlifts, hip thrusts, clam shells, monster walks, and kickbacks. 

While the Hip Circle mini loop band may not be an actual exercise machine, it’s the ideal gym accessory for anyone chasing bigger glutes. I can personally attest to the fact that the Hip Circle is one of the best resistance bands to use for glute work.

The reason? Construction—most other bands are made from a thin plastic or latex, which breaks over time. The Hip Circle is made from soft, woven fabric that doesn’t slip, slide, or pinch your skin. 

It also offers more resistance than the typical plastic-style mini loop resistance band, which is ideal if you’re looking for muscle growth on your backside. I give the Hip Circle a 4-out-of-5-star rating in the resistance category. I dock a point because the strong resistance won’t be ideal for all folks, especially beginners. I use the Hip Circle to make some of the best at-home glute exercises (like glute bridges, clamshells, donkey kicks, and hip thrusts) more challenging.

If you’re on a budget I have good news for you, too. This mini loop band is only $20 on Amazon. While that may seem like a lot for one little band, if you’re serious about booty gains, this is the ultimate option. The Hip Circle earns a 4.5-out-of-5-star rating for overall value. It should also last you a super long time given its more resilient makeup. I’ve used mine for over six years and it just recently started showing wear with a bit of rippling on the elastic (but it still works as it should).