Bret Contreras

Bret Contreras

Personal Trainer, Researcher, Author, Inventor Gym Owner

Considered by many to be the #1 expert on glute training, Bret Contreras is no newbie to the fitness scene. A sports scientist, inventor, researcher, author and gym owner, is there anything he can’t do?

This is his story.

 

Athlete Statistics

Full Name: Bret Contreras
WeightHeightAgeDate of Birth
225 - 235lbs (102.1 - 106.6kg)6'4" (193cm)47July 26, 1976
 
NationalityProfessionEra
AmericanPersonal Trainer, Researcher, Author, Inventor Gym Owner2010
Weight225 - 235lbs (102.1 - 106.6kg)
Height6'4" (193cm)
Age47
Date of BirthJuly 26, 1976
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionPersonal Trainer, Researcher, Author, Inventor Gym Owner
Era2010

 

Bret Contreras Physique

Accomplishments

  • PhD in Sports Science
  • Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist with Distinction from National Strength & Conditioning Association
  • Research Associate AUT University
  • Author and Co-author of multiple books
  • Founder of Booty by Bret, BC Strength, The Glute Lab
  • Inventor of Barbell Hip Thrust and Hip Thruster

Biography

Born and raised in Arizona, Bret Contreras is also an identical twin. He started out as a Mathematics teacher, teaching the subject for six years before transitioning into the fitness space.

During this time teaching, he was also a certified personal trainer – but this was always more of a hobby.

“Since I was 16-years old, I’ve been helping people either as a training partner, a personal trainer, a strength coach, or a writer.”

While studying for his master’s degree, he decided to focus his thesis on exercise science. Motivated by his professor, who suggested he pursue his exercise passion, Bret opened up his own strength training facility, gathering a crowd of clients after just 3 months.

Bret would spend every spare minute learning and reading about fitness, strength and conditioning. Wanting to turn his passion into a career, he pursued his dreams by ‘going back to school’.

He worked on receiving CSCS (Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist) credentials from the NSCA (National Strength & Conditioning Association) and FMS (Functional Movement Screen) certifications. He also achieved a PhD in sports science.

The Glute Guy

Bret developed an affinity for glutes and how to build them. He studied them extensively over a couple of decades and eventually garnered the nickname ‘The Glute Guy.’

In fact, it was during a 2006 UFC fight that inspired Bret to create the barbell hip thrust. During the fight, he noticed that one of the fighters had an ineffective hip bump, which he thought was because of weak glutes. Spending some time in his garage, he toyed around with his bench, sitting against it, with his feet on the floor, adding a weighted barbell on his lap and thrusting his hips to full extension. The exercise allowed for a full range of motion and the capacity to load weight—the perfect glute-focused exercise.

Fast forward to today, Bret has established himself as the world’s leading expert in gluteal muscle functioning and development, strength training, and program design.

“The glutes are so dang important – sprinting, jumping, cutting, twisting, protecting the knees and back, not to mention looking athletic and sexy! They’re critical for most sports including strength sports.”

In addition to developing an inclusive glute-training system and the barbell hip thrust, Bret invented the Hip Thruster, an adaptable piece of equipment used to perform the hip thrust.

Bret Contreras is also a regular contributor to multiple fitness magazines including Men’s Health, Men’s Fitness and Oxygen.

Training

As you might have guessed it, Bret is a big fan of any type of exercise that builds the glutes – most specifically the barbell hip thrust (he’s the inventor after all). That’s not to say he’s also not interested in the strength training techniques needed to make gains.

Bret is a firm believer that 80% of the potential gains from strength training come from ‘general’ big lifts such as:

  • Squats
  • Deadlifts
  • Bench press
  • Bent over rows
  • Military presses
  • Farmer’s walks.

“I believe that the big lifts can and should be modified to be more joint-friendlier or replaced by biomechanically-similar exercises for lifters who don’t tolerate the big lifts very well.

“For example, front squats, hex bar deadlifts, incline presses, inverted rows, and neutral grip dumbbell military presses are suitable alternatives which are generally safer but will yield nearly identical adaptations.”

Bret also loves total body training routines as well as much-needed cardio – he makes sure to get in a walk, at least 4-5 times a week, after strength workouts.

Nutrition

Bret is fond of ‘fueling to train’. To train effectively and truly maximize every session, he must be properly fueled. That means a big hit of carbs, fiber, fats and of course proteins.

When dieting, Bret would stick mostly to whey protein shakes, skimmed milk, eggs, tuna, chicken, lean beef, Greek yogurt, orange juice, fruit, dried fruit, mixed veggies, cheese, mixed nuts, sunflower seeds, peanut butter, pickles, and fish oil caps. This means the vast majority of his food is whole and minimally processed, with plenty of fiber and diversity.

He doesn’t like to restrict himself too much though. He can enjoy a cheeseburger like the rest of us – the key is to not overdo it. Bret always makes sure to never go over his daily calories, and if he were to, he’d get out for a brisk walk on a night to make up the difference.

He’s not a pre-workout supplement user but does like to drink a diet energy drink before hitting the gym.

What we can learn from Bret Contreras

Bret Contreras teaches us that it’s never too late to pursue your passions. Despite having a safe job and solid teaching career, Bret knew in himself that he had more to show the world.

The lesson we can take away from his story is to always follow your dreams and pursue anything that lights a fire inside you.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


You might like...

Nick Jonas Physique and Workout

134 Views

See Profile

Kevin Heart Physique

1177 Views

See Profile

Joe Manganiello Physique: Achieving an Enviable A-List Fitness Level

1545 Views

See Profile

Tom Hardy Physique

5525 Views

See Profile
0

10 Meal Planning Mistakes to Avoid: Get Shredded the Right Way

Preparing food in advance is a tool used by pro athletes and bodybuilders to stay lean, strong and aesthetic all year round. Avoid these meal planning mistakes and sail to single-digit body fat in no time at all. 

Read article

Vin Diesel’s Physique

2633 Views

See Profile

KSI Physique: How Did KSI Get In Shape?

3049 Views

See Profile

Jake Gyllenhaal Physique

3090 Views

See Profile

Gerard Butler Physique

3995 Views

See Profile
0

10 Protein-Rich Foods for Vegetarians

If you're a vegetarian who's serious about strength training, you need to know how to optimize your diet to get the best results. Check out our guide to protein-rich foods to help you on your way - a completely new fitness level is just around the corner.

Read article

Henry Cavill Physique

9569 Views

See Profile

Alex Eubank Physique

6606 Views

See Profile

Will Tennyson Physique

6116 Views

See Profile

Cristiano Ronaldo Physique

12933 Views

See Profile
42

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger - He's been named the Austrian Oak, The Terminator, John Matrix, Mr. Freeze, The Governator, and to many of his fans just Arnie. Not only is he known as one of the greatest bodybuilders in history, but also as an action movie star, and an American politician.

Read article

Jason Mamoa Physique

4387 Views

See Profile

Ryan Gosling Physique: Ryan Gosling’s Ken Transformation

9865 Views

See Profile

Stephen Amell Physique

5973 Views

See Profile

Chris Pratt Transformation and Physique

2953 Views

See Profile
0

90 day Muscle Building Workout Plan

You just can’t beat that feeling of knowing that your physique is one you’ve worked hard for. Noticing the appreciative stares from envious strangers, and knowing that every time you hit the gym, you’re pushing the boundaries of what you once thought was impossible - makes it all worthwhile.

Read article