Flutter Kicks
A beginner compound movement that trains the glutes with just bodyweight.
Force Type
Pull
compound
Difficulty
Beginner
compound
Variations
0
equipment swaps
Muscles
2
primary + secondary
The verdict
Flutter Kicks has 5-step instructions, among the most thoroughly documented of the 22 glutes exercises PlainExercise catalogues.
Ranked against the 22 glutes exercises PlainExercise currently catalogues, not the full exercise-science literature.
Flutter Kicks is a beginner compound movement that trains the Glutes along with hamstrings. It requires just bodyweight. There are 0 known variations and 8 peer exercises that target the same primary muscle.
- 1 of 9 exercises targeting the Glutes
- Level: beginner
PlainExercise cross-links 0 variations and 8 peer exercises sharing the same primary muscle.
What the Flutter Kicks Data Reveals
Flutter Kicks is classified in the PlainExercise database as a beginner-level compound movement with a pull force profile, primarily training the Glutes with secondary engagement of the hamstrings. The canonical form requires just bodyweight, and the movement falls within the strength category. The parent record is sourced from the public-domain Free Exercise DB and enriched with exercise-science framing unique to PlainExercise, including structured common-mistake patterns derived from the force and mechanic fields above.
Within the same primary-muscle cohort, the Glutes is trained by 9 catalogued movements in total, meaning any practitioner planning a session has at least 8 alternatives that load the same tissue through different joint angles or equipment profiles. No alternate-equipment variations have been catalogued for Flutter Kicks yet; the canonical form is the documented path. The documented execution runs 5 discrete steps, each one derived directly from the upstream record and reproduced verbatim rather than paraphrased.
Context matters: this database aggregates exercise science taxonomy (level, mechanic, force, primary/secondary musculature, equipment) but does not and cannot account for individual biomechanics, joint history, recovery status, or training context. The common-mistake and progression framing below is derived programmatically from the classification fields and represents general exercise-science consensus rather than case-specific coaching. This is not medical or personal-training advice. Consult a physician, physical therapist, or certified trainer before starting a new exercise or modifying an existing program, particularly if you have prior injuries, pain, recent surgery, cardiovascular limitations, or are pregnant.
Muscles worked
Exercise profile
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | beginner |
| Mechanic | compound |
| Force | pull |
| Equipment | body only |
| Category | strength |
| Primary muscle | Glutes |
| Secondary muscles | 1 |
| Variations available | 0 |
Source: Free Exercise DB (CC0); profile derived per exercise record.
Muscles worked
According to the Free Exercise DB classification, Flutter Kicks trains the glutes as the prime mover, with 1 muscle assisting. The source classifies muscles as primary or secondary, it does not measure activation, so we show involvement, not percentages.
Source: Free Exercise DB primary/secondary muscle classification. Involvement, not measured activation, actual recruitment varies by load and form.
Intensity context
For reference, here is where common activities sit on the MET intensity scale. Flutter Kicks does not have a measured MET in the source data, its intensity depends on the load and effort you use. Estimate calories for any activity with the calorie calculator.
MET values from the Compendium of Physical Activities (Ainsworth et al., 2011). A general reference scale, not a rating of this specific movement.
How to do it
- On a flat bench lie facedown with the hips on the edge of the bench, the legs straight with toes high off the floor and with the arms on top of the bench holding on to the front edge.
- Squeeze your glutes and hamstrings and straighten the legs until they are level with the hips. This will be your starting position.
- Start the movement by lifting the left leg higher than the right leg.
- Then lower the left leg as you lift the right leg.
- Continue alternating in this manner (as though you are doing a flutter kick in water) until you have done the recommended amount of repetitions for each leg. Make sure that you keep a controlled movement at all times. Tip: You will breathe normally as you perform this movement.
Common mistakes
- Rushing through reps before the pattern is grooved - at this stage, a slow, controlled tempo (2-3s down, 1-2s up) on Flutter Kicks teaches the nervous system the movement far faster than speed does.
- Cutting the range of motion short - moving the glutes through its full safe range on Flutter Kicks is what most reliably separates effective reps from wasted ones.
- Treating a compound lift like an isolation movement - Flutter Kicks recruits multiple joints; bracing the core and engaging stabilizers matters as much as the prime movers.
- Shrugging the shoulders up toward the ears on pull movements, keep shoulder blades down and back to load the correct muscles.
- Breathing out of sync with the lift on Flutter Kicks - brace and inhale during the lowering phase, exhale on the exertion, especially important with just bodyweight where control matters most.
Who this is for
- People new to resistance training who want to build a foundation in the movement pattern
- People who want to train the Glutes and secondarily hamstrings
- People training at home without equipment
Who this is NOT for
- Anyone with acute pain in the joints or muscles involved, pain is a stop signal, not a soreness signal
- People with unresolved injuries in the loaded joints, seek clearance from a physical therapist first
- Anyone with a recent surgery, cardiovascular limitation, or pregnancy complication without physician clearance
Progression path
Once Flutter Kicks feels comfortable with your current load, progress by (a) adding reps until you can complete 12+ per set, (b) increasing resistance by 2.5-5%, (c) moving to harder variations such as single-limb or longer lever versions, and eventually (d) stepping up to intermediate-level movements that train the same muscle.
See the Progression guide for a full framework on when to advance, and the Compound vs Isolation guide to decide when to prioritize this movement in your program.
Safety notes
- Sharp or joint pain is a stop signal. Muscle soreness during sets is normal; pain is not.
- Warm up the involved joints with 2-3 progressively loaded sets before training to a working weight.
- If you have a history of injury in the loaded joints (knees, shoulders, lower back), consult a physical therapist before loading this movement.
- General information only. Consult a physician or certified trainer before starting any new exercise program.
Related exercises
Other exercises that target the Glutes.
See all Glutes exercises.
Using the flutter kicks
A beginner compound movement for the glutes - here's how to put it to work.
- Train the glutes 2–3 times a week with 48+ hours between hard sets; pair this with other glutes movements for balanced development. All glutes exercises
- Match the load and rep range to your goal, strength, size, or endurance each call for a different scheme. Strength vs hypertrophy
- As a compound lift, this trains several muscles at once, anchor your session around it before isolation work. Compound vs isolation
Form before load. If a movement causes sharp or joint pain, stop and substitute a safer alternative, this is general information, not medical or training advice.