Butt toning exercises for back pain sufferers

[MyfriendArchie]

I suffer from lower back pain and sciatica.
Back exercises from the physio keep it, roughly, at bay, if I do the, every day.
I am trying to do some strength and toning exercises now I’m in my late 40’s and in particular, I want to tone my butt up (it seems to have a penchant for heading south these days!). However, if I try any kind of squat or traditional butt exercises I am in agony with my back for days after.
Can anyone recommend butt toning, back friendly exercises?

The glute strengthening exercises my (NHS) physio started me on for my back/hip problems were essentially donkey kicks (don't tense your back, I do them sort of lying over a padded dining chair to support my back), gentle glute bridges (pulling in abs, just curling base of spine off ground, rather than thrusting into the air) and clam shells. I did move onto resistance bands and squats, but started off squats standing against a door and sliding down to a kind of wall sit and back up?

I started off by visiting a sports physio, but the intensity of the exercises was ridiculous and made things worse. Start gentle and build up, it all helps!

TheSmallAssassin thanks I’ll give those a go.

Glute bridges, no weight and gentle but you might be able to move on to some weight in time.

Google Bulgarian split squat. I have sciatica and low back pain and they’re fine for me.

Split squats are great. If you want to target your glutes rather than quads you need to make sure the angle is correct. Knee straight over toes targets your glutes more, if your knee is further forward it'll target your quads.

I do kickbacks on the cable machine, which are very low weights. As long as you are in the correct position it should be fine for your back.

I have a PT who really likes strengthening glutes, if you want to target glutes then bands and body weight unfortunately don't do much. Also look up glute activation exercises.

Les Mills on Demand usually have a 30 day free trial and their Core programme has done wonders for my bad back (not sciatica). There is always a glute track and you’ll feel it afterwards - lots of work with resistance bands around your legs for extra bite!

Basically, what @TheSmallAssassin says - my physio suggests also banded crab walks - firm band around the thighs, flex/bend knees, face forwards back up, and walk sideways, working your legs against the band (it gets your adductors/inner thighs as well).

Glute bridges are the thing. Also think about mobility as much as strength - I find that lateral/oblique moves eg keep hips forwards, and turn my torso/shoulders from side to side.

Oh also - using a standing desk and not sitting down continuously for 8-10 hours a day has made a HUGE difference to my back health.

And streeeeeetch! after a workout, not before. Pigeon pose is good for stretching glutes, but I'm not sure how it'll be on your lower back. I don't find it a strain, but I'm quite flexible.

I go to a local Pilates for Healthy Backs class with a very experienced instructor (who works in tandem with the physio practice downstairs!).
Lots of the Pilates exercises are targeted towards glute strength

Thank you everyone.