Mighty Logo
Mighty
← Back to library
Last updated March 5, 2026
AbductorsGlutesAdductorsCalvesHamstringsQuadriceps

Hip Thrust (Smith)

Place a bench behind the Smith machine. Sit on the floor and place the bar across your hips (use a pad!). Thrust your hips up to lock out.

Quick facts

Level
Intermediate
Mechanic
Compound
Force
Push
Type
Strength
Injury Risk
Moderate
Hypertrophy
High
Calorie Burn
High

Muscle focus

Primary and secondary muscle groups targeted by this movement.

Primary

Glutes (max)

Secondary

Hamstrings

Equipment & setup

What you need and how to position yourself before starting.

Equipment

Smith MachineBench

Movement pattern

Bilateral

Posture

Lying

Tracking parameters

repsweight

Step-by-step instructions

Follow these cues to master proper technique and stay safe through every rep.

  1. Step 1Setup
    • Sit on the bench with your upper back against it and your feet flat on the ground, shoulder-width apart.
    • Position the Smith barbell over your hips, ensuring it is resting comfortably.
  2. Step 2Position Your Feet
    • Place your feet flat on the ground, slightly in front of your knees, ensuring your knees are aligned with your toes.
    • Adjust your foot position to find the most comfortable angle for your hips.
  3. Step 3Engage Your Core
    • Tighten your core muscles to stabilize your body throughout the movement.
    • Keep your back straight and your shoulder blades retracted.
  4. Step 4Lift Your Hips
    • Push through your heels to lift your hips upward, driving the barbell up with your hips.
    • Squeeze your glutes at the top of the movement, ensuring your body forms a straight line from your shoulders to your knees.
  5. Step 5Lower Your Hips
    • Slowly lower your hips back down towards the ground, maintaining control of the barbell.
    • Do not let your back round; keep your core engaged as you lower.
  6. Step 6Repeat
    • Perform the hip thrust for the desired number of repetitions, maintaining proper form throughout each rep.
  7. Step 7Finish the Exercise
    • After completing your reps, carefully lower the barbell back to the starting position.
    • Stand up slowly, ensuring you maintain your balance before stepping away from the bench.

Alternatives & variations

Explore similar movements targeting the same muscles.

View all exercises
Bent Over Hip Extension (Band)

Bent Over Hip Extension (Band)

Glutes (max)
Box Squat (Barbell)

Box Squat (Barbell)

Quads
Bulgarian Split Squat (Bodyweight)

Bulgarian Split Squat (Bodyweight)

Quads
Bulgarian Split Squat (Dumbbell)

Bulgarian Split Squat (Dumbbell)

Quads
Deadlift (Barbell)

Deadlift (Barbell)

Hamstrings
Deadlift - Deficit (Barbell)

Deadlift - Deficit (Barbell)

Hamstrings
Deadlift - (Trap Bar)

Deadlift - (Trap Bar)

Quads
Glute Kickback (Cable)

Glute Kickback (Cable)

Glutes (max)
Frog Reverse Hyperextension

Frog Reverse Hyperextension

Glutes (max)
Glute Press (Machine)

Glute Press (Machine)

Glutes (max)
Goblet Squat (Dumbbell)

Goblet Squat (Dumbbell)

Quads
Goblet Squat (Kettlebell)

Goblet Squat (Kettlebell)

Quads
Hack Squat

Hack Squat

Quads
Hack Squat (Barbell)

Hack Squat (Barbell)

Quads
Hack Squat (Smith)

Hack Squat (Smith)

Quads
Hip Extension (v2) (Machine)

Hip Extension (v2) (Machine)

Glutes (max)
Hip Thrust (Barbell)

Hip Thrust (Barbell)

Glutes (max)
Hip Thrust (Dumbbell)

Hip Thrust (Dumbbell)

Glutes (max)
Hip Thrust - Staggered Stance (Barbell)

Hip Thrust - Staggered Stance (Barbell)

Glutes (max)
Kickback - Kneeling, Straight Leg

Kickback - Kneeling, Straight Leg

Glutes (max)
Landmine Deadlift

Landmine Deadlift

Hamstrings
Lateral Lunge (Barbell)

Lateral Lunge (Barbell)

Quads
Lateral Lunge (Dumbbell)

Lateral Lunge (Dumbbell)

Quads
Lunge (Barbell)

Lunge (Barbell)

Quads
Walking Lunge (Dumbbell)

Walking Lunge (Dumbbell)

Quads
Lunge - Forward (Kettlebell)

Lunge - Forward (Kettlebell)

Quads
Pause Deadlift (Barbell)

Pause Deadlift (Barbell)

Hamstrings
Pull Through (Cable)

Pull Through (Cable)

Glutes (max)
Pull Through (Cable: Rope)

Pull Through (Cable: Rope)

Glutes (max)
Rear Decline Bridge

Rear Decline Bridge

Glutes (max)
Rear Kick - Standing (Machine)

Rear Kick - Standing (Machine)

Glutes (max)
Resistance Glute Bridge (Band)

Resistance Glute Bridge (Band)

Glutes (max)
Resistance Hip Thrust (Barbell)

Resistance Hip Thrust (Barbell)

Glutes (max)
Resistance Hip Thrusts (Band)

Resistance Hip Thrusts (Band)

Glutes (max)
Resistance Leg Kickback (Band)

Resistance Leg Kickback (Band)

Glutes (max)
Resistance Shuttle (Band)

Resistance Shuttle (Band)

Quads
Reverse Lunge (Bodyweight)

Reverse Lunge (Bodyweight)

Quads
Reverse Vertical Hack Squat (Machine)

Reverse Vertical Hack Squat (Machine)

Quads
Squat (Band)

Squat (Band)

Quads
Squat (Barbell)

Squat (Barbell)

Quads
Squat (Smith)

Squat (Smith)

Quads
Squat - Wide (Barbell)

Squat - Wide (Barbell)

Quads
Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Barbell)

Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Barbell)

Hamstrings
Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Kettlebell)

Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Kettlebell)

Hamstrings
Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Smith)

Straight Leg Deadlift (SDL) (Smith)

Hamstrings
Sumo Deadlift (Barbell)

Sumo Deadlift (Barbell)

Quads
Sumo Deadlift (Smith)

Sumo Deadlift (Smith)

Quads
Sumo Romanian Deadlift (Barbell)

Sumo Romanian Deadlift (Barbell)

Hamstrings
Sumo Squat (Barbell)

Sumo Squat (Barbell)

Quads
Sumo Squat (Dumbbell)

Sumo Squat (Dumbbell)

Quads
Sumo Squat (Kettlebell)

Sumo Squat (Kettlebell)

Quads
Swing (Kettlebell)

Swing (Kettlebell)

Glutes (max)
Zercher Back Extension (Barbell)

Zercher Back Extension (Barbell)

Lower Back
Version 1 · Created November 12, 2025