5 Great At Home Lower Back Exercises

Continuing in the series of articles, which I will provide you with a few exercises in each article, that will be specific for one main muscle group. However, most of these exercises will also work additional muscles as well. When this series of articles is complete, you will have an arsenal of exercises that will target every muscle group in your entire body.

Note: I do not recommend that you only target (or isolate) a single muscle group for a complete work out. When you attempt to "isolate" muscles by performing single-joint exercises, you are actually creating a body that is non-functional and will be more prone to injury. Essentially, you are creating a body that is a compilation of body parts, instead of a powerful, functional unit that works together.

Part Nine: Lower Back Exercises

Barbell Deadlift

Main Muscle Worked: Lower Back
Other Muscles: Calves, Forearms, Glutes, Hamstrings, Lats, Middle Back, Quadriceps, Traps
Equipment: Barbell or Dumbbells

1. Stand in front of a loaded barbell.
2. While keeping the back as straight as possible, bend your knees, bend forward and grasp the bar using a medium (shoulder width) overhand grip. This will be the starting position of the exercise. Tip: If it is difficult to hold on to the bar with this grip, alternate your grip or use wrist straps.
3. While holding the bar, start the lift by pushing with your legs while simultaneously getting your torso to the upright position as you breathe out. In the upright position, stick your chest out and contract the back by bringing the shoulder blades back. Think of how the soldiers in the military look when they are in standing in attention.
4. Go back to the starting position by bending at the knees while simultaneously leaning the torso forward at the waist while keeping the back straight. When the weights on the bar touch the floor you are back at the starting position and ready to perform another repetition.
5. Perform the amount of repetitions prescribed in the program.

Caution:

• This is not an exercise to be taken lightly. If you have back issues, substitute it for a rowing motion instead.
• If you have a healthy back, ensure perfect form and never round the back as this can cause back injury. Be cautious as well with the weight used; in case of doubt, use less weight rather than more.

 

Crossover Reverse Lunge

Main Muscle Worked: Lower Back
Other Muscles: Abdominals, Abductors, Glutes, Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Equipment: None or Dumbbells

1. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart. This will be your starting position.
2. Perform a rear lunge by stepping back with one foot and flexing the hips and front knee. As you do so, rotate your torso across the front leg.
3. After a brief pause, return to the starting position and repeat on the other side, continuing in an alternating fashion.

Hyperextensions (Back Extensions)

Main Muscle Worked: Lower Back
Other Muscles: Glutes, Hamstrings
Equipment: Other

1. Lie face down on a hyperextension bench, tucking your ankles securely under the footpads.
2. Adjust the upper pad if possible so your upper thighs lie flat across the wide pad, leaving enough room for you to bend at the waist without any restriction.
3. With your body straight, cross your arms in front of you (my preference) or behind your head. This will be your starting position. Tip: You can also hold a weight plate for extra resistance in front of you under your crossed arms.
4. Start bending forward slowly at the waist as far as you can while keeping your back flat. Inhale as you perform this movement. Keep moving forward until you feel a nice stretch on the hamstrings and you can no longer keep going without a rounding of the back. Tip: Never round the back as you perform this exercise. Also, some people can go farther than others. The key thing is that you go as far as your body allows you to without rounding the back.
5. Slowly raise your torso back to the initial position as you inhale. Tip: Avoid the temptation to arch your back past a straight line. Also, do not swing the torso at any time in order to protect the back from injury.
6. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

 

 

 

Hyperextensions With No Hyperextension Bench

Main Muscle Worked: Lower Back
Other Muscles: Glutes, Hamstrings
Equipment: Body Only

1. With someone holding down your legs, slide yourself down to the edge a flat bench until your hips hang off the end of the bench. Tip: Your entire upper body should be hanging down towards the floor. Also, you will be in the same position as if you were on a hyperextension bench but the range of motion will be shorter due to the height of the flat bench vs. that of the hyperextension bench.
2. With your body straight, cross your arms in front of you (my preference) or behind your head. This will be your starting position. Tip: You can also hold a weight plate for extra resistance in front of you under your crossed arms.
3. Start bending forward slowly at the waist as far as you can while keeping your back flat. Inhale as you perform this movement. Keep moving forward until you almost touch the floor or you feel a nice stretch on the hamstrings (whichever comes first). Tip: Never round the back as you perform this exercise.
4. Slowly raise your torso back to the initial position as you inhale. Tip: Avoid the temptation to arch your back past a straight line. Also, do not swing the torso at any time in order to protect the back from injury.
5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

 

Pelvic Tilt Into Bridge

Main Muscle Worked: Lower Back
Equipment: None

1. Lie down with your feet on the floor, heels directly under your knees.
2. Lift only your tailbone to the ceiling to stretch your lower back. (Don't lift the entire spine yet.) Pull in your stomach.
3. To go into a bridge, lift the entire spine except the neck.

Take these exercises, along with those from the previous articles and the ones that will follow in the next few articles, and combine them to create your own total body work out routine. In addition, put in place a healthy diet, and you will be well on your way to being healthy and fit.

Always remember to warm up for at least 5 - 10 minutes before beginning a work out routine.



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Take a look at The Gabriel Method weight loss program, this guy lost over 200 pounds!

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5 Great At Home Traps & Neck Exercises

5 Great At Home Triceps Exercises

5 Great At Home Biceps Exercises

5 Great At Home Abdominal Exercises

5 Great At Home Shoulder Exercises

5 Great At home Chest Exercises



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