Why Men Are Suddenly Training This Muscle for Longevity Like Never Before

According to a recent report from The Wall Street Journal, a growing number of men-from executives and actors to fitness enthusiasts and longevity-focused professionals-are prioritizing one muscle group that was largely overlooked just a decade ago: the glutes.

For years, the ideal male physique centered on broad shoulders, sculpted abs, and bigger arms. But trainers interviewed by WSJ say today's clients are increasingly focused on building stronger legs and glutes-not just to look better, but to move better, stay active longer, and maintain their health as they age.

"It's become a glute-dominant culture," Los Angeles trainer Daniel Rice told WSJ.

The trend is showing up in luxury gyms, social media feeds, and even longevity clinics, where lower-body strength is increasingly viewed as a key component of healthy aging.

The Longevity Trend Nobody Saw Coming

Walk into a high-end gym today, and you'll likely find guys lined up for hip thrust machines, lunges, Romanian deadlifts, and StairMaster sprint sessions.

According to reporting from The Wall Street Journal, Life Time has seen growing interest in glute-focused programming, while fitness-tracking company Whoop says male users have doubled their glute-focused exercises during the past two years.

At Dogpound, the celebrity-favorite personal-training gym, owner Lili Gattyan told The Wall Street Journal that the facility recently expanded its glute-training equipment because clients were demanding more lower-body training options.

The trend has become so widespread that actors, models, entrepreneurs, and executives interviewed by the publication described dedicating multiple workouts each week to glute development.

Why Men Are Suddenly Training Their Glutes Like Never Before

The movement is partly aesthetic, but trainers say the bigger shift is happening among men focused on performance and longevity.

Rice told The Wall Street Journal that many of his clients are less concerned about looking good on a beach and more interested in preserving strength, mobility, and independence as they age. His programs frequently include hip thrusts, side lunges, curtsy squats, and stair climbing.

Related: How to Fall Asleep Faster and Stay Asleep, According to Sleep Experts

5 Simple Ways to Build Stronger Glutes Starting This Week

If you want to follow the longevity-focused approach, start with these practical strategies:

• Prioritize lower-body strength training. Aim for at least two dedicated lower-body workouts per week. Box squats, Romanian deadlifts, lunges, step-ups, and hip thrusts should form the foundation of your program.
• Add single-leg exercises. Movements like Bulgarian split squats and walking lunges can improve balance, stability, and athleticism while exposing strength imbalances that often develop with age.
• Take the stairs more often. Skip the elevator and use stairs whenever possible to build lower-body endurance and maintain functional fitness. If you want to bring that same training stimulus home, the STEPR Stair Climber delivers a StairMaster-style workout in a compact footprint designed for home gyms, making it easier to accumulate glute-building volume regardless of the weather.
• Sleep at a comfortable temperature. Recovery starts in the bedroom. Better temperature control can make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep, which is critical for muscle recovery and overall health. The BedJet 3 Climate Comfort System blows warm or cool air under your sheets, helping you stay comfortable throughout the night.
• Create a backyard recovery zone. The Plunge Outdoor Shower provides an easy way to rinse off after a workout, sauna session, or cold plunge. Its cedar-and-copper design connects to a garden hose or permanent plumbing, making it a natural addition to a backyard wellness setup.
• Wear gear built for leg day. Your workout clothes shouldn't limit your movement. While On Earth's Origin Short is designed for everything from heavy squat sessions to recovery walks, while the lightweight Persist Tank helps keep you comfortable through training, mobility work, and everyday activity. The more comfortable you are moving, the easier it is to stay consistent.

What Stronger Glutes Could Mean for Your Future Health

The glute craze may have started with aesthetics, but the trend points to a bigger benefit: healthy aging.

Strong glutes help support mobility, balance, posture, and everyday movement. And because they're among the largest muscles in the body, keeping them strong may help you stay active and independent as you age.

The takeaway? If you're looking to invest in your long-term health, stop skipping leg day.

Related: Lifting Weights Could Improve Your Mental Health, Research Suggests

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the Health & Fitness section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

2026 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.

This story was originally published June 1, 2026 at 11:01 AM.