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This 20-minute beginner workout focuses on upper glute exercises. Led by Danielle Harrison, it targets glutes, shoulders, quads with evidence-based exercises designed for women of all fitness levels.

Exercise Breakdown

22 exercises in Workout 2

Warm-up5 exercises
2m 17s
0:30
Warm-up: Jog or March

We wanna keep up that pace.

full bodycalves
low
1:01
Warm-up: Squat and Rotate

I'm gonna squat and rotate.

quadsglutescorespine
low
1:31
Warm-up: Shoulder Rolls and Foot Walk

Just walk through those feet for me.

shouldersankles
low
2:15
Warm-up: Knee-Down Push-ups

Knees down first, nice and steady.

chestarmsshoulderscore
medium
2:46
Warm-up: Downward Dog

Just press through those shoulder blades.

hamstringsshouldersspinecalves
low
Strength13 exercises
6m 30s
4:01
Side Lunge with Swing

Lunge to the side, you're gonna swing it across.

glutesinner thighscoreshoulders
medium
4:32
Bicep Curl to Press

Keep the chest lifted for me.

bicepsshouldersarms
medium
5:03
Deadlift to Upright Row

Elbows out, upright row.

hamstringsglutesupper backshoulders
medium
7:30
Bear Plank with Shoulder Taps

Lift up the knees slightly, shoulder tap.

coreshouldersquads
high
8:01
Chest Flies

Elbows are gonna hit the floor, push back together.

chestshoulders
medium
8:32
Side Lunge with Hold

Send the hips back.

glutesquadsinner thighs
medium
9:03
Lunge Pulses

Knee hovers just above the floor.

quadsglutescalves
high
12:00
Adapted Walkout to Push-up

Step it down, walk it out, push-up.

full bodyarmscore
medium
12:31
Oblique Crunches

Work those obliques.

core
medium
13:02
Thrusters

Feet nice and wide, squat down, full press overhead.

full bodyquadsshouldersglutes
high
13:33
Reverse Lunge with Frontal Raise

Make sure my core's engaged.

quadsglutesshoulderscore
medium
16:00
Finisher: Weighted Squats

30 seconds of this, and then we're gonna pulse.

quadsgluteshamstrings
high
16:31
Finisher: Pulse Squats

15 more seconds, 15 reps.

quadsglutes
high
Cardio1 exercise
30s
3:30
Squat Jack

Squat down, step it out.

quadsglutesouter thighscardio
medium
Cool-down3 exercises
2m 30s
17:30
Cool Down: Knee Hugs and Twists

Just rock into the floor for me.

lower backhipsspine
low
19:00
Cool Down: Seated Side Stretch

Reach up and over, drop that elbow into the floor.

corespineshoulders
low
20:00
Cool Down: Hamstring and Quad Stretch

Knees together (for quad stretch).

hamstringsquadsglutes
low

Muscles Targeted

Primary

glutesshouldersquads

Secondary

corespinehamstrings

Equipment & Modifications

Equipment Needed

  • dumbbells

Don't Have Equipment?

You can substitute with:

water bottlescanned goodsresistance bands

Available Modifications

  • Step it back
  • Knees up
  • Jog for more cardio
  • Lift up if needed (full push-up)
  • Step it out (low impact)
  • Take it into a jump (high impact)
  • Body weight only
  • Squat and reach up (no weights)
  • Slow it down
  • Speed up with lighter weights
  • Lunge and step in (no hold)
  • Add a weight
  • Normal walkout (no knee bend)
  • Knee to elbow (no weights)
  • Shallow drop for prenatal
  • Up onto tiptoes
  • No weights
  • Step back, then raise (separate movements)
  • Body weight
  • Hold onto something for balance

Coaching Highlights from Danielle Harrison

Feet nice and wide, squat down, full press overhead.

Form

Remember, we're not hitting the floor on that deadlift.

Safety

Do not drop it down all the way to knee (prenatal).

Modification

Just to get those arms nice and warm.

Motivation

Danielle's approach centers body awareness over aesthetics. She coaches the internal experience of movement, not just the mechanics.

Form

Health Benefits

Women who want to build real glutes and shoulders strength without a gym membership. Particularly relevant if you're navigating unexplained weight gain, dating after 40, or aging appearance. No fitness background required. Danielle Harrison meets you where you are.

unexplained weight gain

90% relevant

muscle mass preservation (metabolic rate); insulin sensitivity improvement; cortisol management; body composition over scale weight

dating after 40

90% relevant

Stress reduction and emotional regulation through parasympathetic activation; Improved body awareness, confidence, and self-perception; Enhanced posture and physical presence for increased self-assurance; Increased energy and vitality for social engagement; Development of lean muscle mass for metabolic health and body composition

aging appearance

90% relevant

Increased collagen production and skin elasticity through resistance training; Improved circulation and nutrient delivery to skin cells; Enhanced muscle definition and tone to reduce appearance of sagging; Better posture to create a more youthful and confident appearance; Stress reduction and cortisol management (via Yoga/Pilates) to mitigate cellular aging; Improved lymphatic drainage to reduce puffiness

self worth decline

90% relevant

Enhances body awareness and interoception, fostering a more positive self-perception.; Builds physical strength and competence, translating to increased self-efficacy and confidence.; Promotes parasympathetic nervous system activation, reducing stress and improving emotional regulation.; Offers a structured routine and sense of accomplishment, counteracting feelings of helplessness.; Improves posture and physical presence, which can positively impact self-image and how one is perceived.

difficulty losing weight

90% relevant

Increased basal metabolic rate through muscle mass development; Improved insulin sensitivity and glucose regulation; Enhanced hormonal balance (e.g., cortisol management, estrogen metabolism); Reduced visceral fat accumulation; Improved body composition and fat-to-muscle ratio; Stress reduction and improved sleep quality (indirectly supports weight management)

Relevant For

back painbalancebone densitycardiovascularcore strengthfatigueflexibilityhamstringship painknee painmetabolismpostureshoulder painstressweight gain

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Workouts & Topics

About the Trainer

Danielle Harrison

Danielle Harrison

Muscle Tone Trainer

From: Low Impact HIIT