Help - I have a square butt....
 

What could it be from??? I have been focusing on barre - P57 and kettlebells mostly. I don't do any tall box work, or step aerobics.....

Help!!!!! Any ideas?

tia

Going from my own experience, I think it may be the barre work. I haven't done P57 so I'm not sure how different that is from other barre work, but when I was doing more Core Fusion type of barre I did develop more of that upper butt muscle (with a little extra fat I'm sure) that gave me a square-ish look. I never got that look from the Firm step-ups as I've heard others say happened to them.

Ugh. I hate tall box work because it builds my thighs too much. I'll have to figure out a plan.. Scale back on the barre stuff.... I'll look into my tonique stuff as well.

thanks.

keep the suggestions coming...

Sue - Have you been doing a lot of pretzel work in your barre workouts? I haven't experienced this personally, but I remember that Leah Sarago explained that this movement can contribute to a "square butt" and should not be done more than twice a week.

Yep, I agree with this. I've had barre butt bulk happening and had to back off to 1x per week or less. I've added in Jackie Warner's workouts and already my pants fit a bit better after a week and a half since my last barre workout. It's a shame because I love barre.

ETA: Fuzzie is right about pretzel. But I've also noticed when you turn up the hip for long lever pulses, it also works the upper glute/hip area just like pretzel.

I remember that as well - I can't remember the last time I've done pretzel for that very reason....

Wahhh... I love barre too, but do NOT like my square butt.....

thanks!

Better square than flat like mine... LOL
(I think)

I always add in BBL High and Tight and/or Andrea Orbeck's DVD once a week to counteract square barre butt.

I also like doing the seat section of Dancer's Body with 1/2 kilo ankle weights to keep things lifted.

Sue, when you do tall box work do you focus on pushing through your heel? I am sure you do, but sometimes I forget and find myself pushing more from the front of my foot then my heel. I have to really focus in on pushing from my heel to activate the glute muscle.

Oh, also I find stiff legged deadlifts using heavy weights perks my butt right up. ;) But again focusing in on pushing through the heel.

I honestly don't even remember. It's probably been 10+ years since I've done it.