How to perform Bodyweight Back Extension with proper form
Starting Position:
- Lie face down on a mat or soft surface, with your legs extended straight behind you.
- Place your hands behind your head or crossed over your chest.
- Keep your feet hip-width apart and anchored to the ground.
Movement:
- Engage Core: Tighten your abdominal muscles to stabilize your spine.
- Lift Upper Body: Gently raise your chest off the ground by extending your spine. Aim to lift until your torso is about parallel to the ground.
- Keep Neck Neutral: Maintain a neutral head position by looking slightly ahead, avoiding excessive neck extension.
- Squeeze Glutes: As you lift, engage your glutes to stabilize the movement and support your lower back.
Return to Start:
- Slowly lower your upper body back to the starting position, maintaining control throughout.
Tips:
- Maintain a smooth and controlled movement without jerking.
- Breathe out as you lift and inhale as you lower.
- Focus on using your back muscles rather than pushing with your arms.
Common Mistakes:
- Hyperextending the neck or lower back.
- Using arms to pull up rather than engaging the back and glutes.
- Lifting too high, which can strain the back.
This exercise strengthens the lower back, glutes, and hamstrings. Perform it with proper form to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Exercises
Back Extension, Bodyweight
Type: Lower, Core
Target: Back
Synergist: Glutes, Hamstrings
Back Extension, Leverage Machine
Type: Lower, Core
Target: Back
Synergist: Glutes, Hamstrings
Ball Slams, Medicine Ball
Type: Core, Upper
Target: Shoulders, Back
Synergist: Chest, Abs
Bent Over One Arm Row, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Shoulders, Biceps, Forearms, Chest
Bent Over Row, Barbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Shoulders, Biceps, Forearms
Bent Over Row, Cable
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Shoulders, Biceps, Forearms
Bent Over Row, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Shoulders, Biceps, Forearms
Bent Over Row, Smith Machine
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Shoulders, Biceps, Forearms
Bent Over Row, Band
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Shoulders, Biceps, Forearms
Bent Over Row, Leverage Machine
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Shoulders, Biceps, Forearms
Chin Up, Bodyweight
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Biceps, Forearms, Shoulders, Chest
Chin Up, Leverage Machine
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Biceps, Forearms, Shoulders, Chest
Clean, Barbell
Type: Upper, Lower, Push
Target: Glutes, Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Back, Shoulders
Synergist: Calves, Biceps, Chest, Forearms
Clean and Jerk, Barbell
Type: Upper, Lower, Push
Target: Glutes, Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Back, Shoulders
Synergist: Calves, Biceps, Chest, Forearms
Deadlift, Barbell
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes, Back, Hamstrings
Synergist: Quadriceps, Calves, Abs, Forearms
Deadlift, Cable
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes, Back, Hamstrings
Synergist: Quadriceps, Calves, Abs, Forearms
Deadlift, Dumbbell
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes, Back, Hamstrings
Synergist: Quadriceps, Calves, Abs, Forearms
Deadlift, Smith Machine
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes, Back, Hamstrings
Synergist: Quadriceps, Calves, Abs, Forearms
Deadlift, Band
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes, Back, Hamstrings
Synergist: Quadriceps, Calves, Abs, Forearms
Deadlift, Kettlebell
Type: Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes, Back, Hamstrings
Synergist: Quadriceps, Calves, Abs, Forearms