Best glutes exercises with a barbell

Exercises where glutes are a main mover and that need a barbell, EZ bar or trap bar, plus a bench at most. Best muscle growth rating first, with more weight on ratings several sources agree on. The full glutes ranking covers every kind of equipment.

1Barbell back squatSquatBarbellVery good; among the better picks for the muscle. Also works quads, lower back and adductors.
Growth
3.6 8 sources
Worth the fatigue
2.0 2 sources
Injury risk
3.0 5 sources
2Barbell hip thrustHip extensionBarbellVery good; among the better picks for the muscle. Hardest part is at short muscle length. Also works hamstrings.
Growth
3.5 11 sources
Worth the fatigue
3.5 2 sources
3Barbell sumo squatSquatBarbellVery good; among the better picks for the muscle. Also works quads and adductors.
Growth
4.0 2 sources
4Romanian deadliftHingeBarbellVery good; among the better picks for the muscle. Peak tension at a deep stretch. Also works hamstrings, forearms and lower back.
Growth
4.0 2 sources
Injury risk
3.0 1 source
5Barbell deadliftHingeBarbellVery good; among the better picks for the muscle. Also works lower back, hamstrings, traps, forearms and quads.
Growth
3.7 3 sources
Worth the fatigue
2.0 2 sources
Injury risk
3.7 3 sources
6Barbell glute bridgeHip extensionBarbellVery good; among the better picks for the muscle. Also works hamstrings.
Growth
4.0 1 source
7Barbell walking lungeLungeBarbellVery good; among the better picks for the muscle. Also works quads and hamstrings.
Growth
4.0 1 source
8Barbell sumo deadliftHingeBarbellSolid; a reasonable default. Also works adductors, lower back, quads and hamstrings.
Growth
3.0 1 source
Worth the fatigue
2.0 1 source
9Trap bar deadliftHingeTrap barSolid; a reasonable default. Also works quads, traps, forearms, lower back and hamstrings.
Growth
3.0 1 source
Injury risk
2.0 1 source
10Barbell rack pullHingeBarbellBelow average; better options exist for every goal. Also works lower back, traps, forearms and hamstrings.
Growth
2.0 1 source
Injury risk
2.0 1 source

Not rated yet

Barbell box squatSquatBarbell, Box or bench to sit onAlso works quads, lower back, hamstrings and adductors.
Barbell low-bar squatSquatBarbellAlso works quads, lower back and adductors.
Worth the fatigue
2.0 1 source
Barbell split squatLungeBarbellAlso works quads and hamstrings.
Deficit deadliftHingeBarbellAlso works lower back, hamstrings, upper back, forearms and quads.
Snatch-grip deficit deadliftHingeBarbellAlso works lower back, hamstrings, upper back, traps, forearms and quads.
Sumo deficit deadliftHingeBarbellPeak tension at a deep stretch. Also works lower back, hamstrings and adductors.