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Exercise · Glutes

Fire Hydrant guide

The Fire Hydrant is a beginner-level isolation bodyweight lift that trains the Glutes (Gluteus Medius). Use it when you want more glutes work with no extra kit. Keep the range honest, add load only when every rep looks the same.

TargetGlutes (Gluteus Medius)
SecondaryGlutes
EquipmentBodyweight
MechanicsIsolation
LevelBeginner
Sets × reps3–4 × 8–15

What muscles does the fire hydrant work?

The Fire Hydrant primarily trains the Glutes (Gluteus Medius), with the glutes as the target group. Train it as part of a balanced glutes routine.

How do you do the fire hydrant?

To do the Fire Hydrant: clear enough floor space that you can finish the fire hydrant without hitting anything. brace, then move; move the load with the glutes (gluteus medius). if another muscle takes over, shorten the range until glutes (gluteus medius) is doing the work; control the lowering half. a bounce at the bottom is a missed rep on the fire hydrant; stop 1–2 reps before form breaks. add weight or a harder variation only after every working set looks the same.

  1. Clear enough floor space that you can finish the fire hydrant without hitting anything. Brace, then move.
  2. Move the load with the glutes (gluteus medius). If another muscle takes over, shorten the range until glutes (gluteus medius) is doing the work.
  3. Control the lowering half. A bounce at the bottom is a missed rep on the fire hydrant.
  4. Stop 1–2 reps before form breaks. Add weight or a harder variation only after every working set looks the same.

What are the most common fire hydrant mistakes?

  • Turning the fire hydrant into a momentum drill. — Slow the first two seconds of the lowering half until the glutes (gluteus medius) stays tense.
  • Cutting the range short to move more load. — Own the longest range you can keep tidy. Load comes after range.
  • Letting the bodyweight dictate sloppy setup. — Reset stance, grip and brace before every set, not after the first ugly rep.

Fire Hydrant alternatives

Fire Hydrant FAQ.

What muscles does the Fire Hydrant work?

The Fire Hydrant primarily targets the Glutes (Gluteus Medius), training the Glutes as the main muscle group.

Is the Fire Hydrant a compound or isolation exercise?

The Fire Hydrant is an isolation exercise — it focuses on one muscle, which is useful for targeting and bringing up weak points.

What equipment do I need for the Fire Hydrant?

You need no equipment — just your bodyweight. Difficulty is rated beginner.

What are good alternatives to the Fire Hydrant?

Good glutes alternatives include Barbell Hip Thrust, Kettlebell Swing, Sumo Deadlift.

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