Around the World Superman Hold
Strengthen your entire posterior chain with the Around the World Superman Hold. This bodyweight exercise targets your glutes, lower back, and core,
- Movement
- Compound
- Force
- Static
- Per set
- 1 min
- Rest
- 30s
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Variations of Around the World Superman Hold
Description
A bodyweight exercise where you lie on your stomach and lift your arms and legs off the ground, mimicking the flying pose of Superman.
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How to do Around the World Superman Hold
- 01Setup
Lie face down on the floor with your body fully extended, arms stretched overhead, and legs straight behind you.
- 02Setup
Keep your head in a neutral position, looking down at the floor to maintain spinal alignment.
- 03
Simultaneously lift your chest, arms, and legs a few inches off the ground, engaging your glutes and lower back to create a gentle arch in your spine. This is the Superman position.
- 04
While maintaining the lifted Superman position, slowly sweep your arms in a wide arc from overhead down towards your hips, as if drawing a half-circle on the floor.
- 05
Reverse the motion, sweeping your arms back overhead, and then repeat the "around the world" arm movement for the duration of the set while keeping your chest and legs elevated.
Tips
- Focus on slow, controlled arm movements to maximize time under tension and maintain stability in your torso.
- Actively squeeze your glutes throughout the entire exercise to protect your lower back and enhance hip extension.
- Keep your gaze directed at the floor to maintain a neutral cervical spine and prevent neck strain.
- Breathe steadily and deeply throughout the hold; avoid holding your breath, which can increase tension unnecessarily.
Common mistakes
- Hyperextending the neck by looking up can cause strain; instead, keep your head in line with your spine, looking down.
- Using momentum to swing your arms reduces muscle engagement; focus on a slow, deliberate arc to activate the target muscles effectively.
- Arching the lower back excessively instead of lifting from the glutes and upper back can strain the spine; ensure your glutes are actively squeezed to distribute the load evenly.
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What muscles does Around the World Superman Hold work?
Around the World Superman Hold primarily targets Erector Spinae, Gluteus Maximus.
Is Around the World Superman Hold good for beginners?
Around the World Superman Hold is rated intermediate. Beginners can still attempt it with lighter weight and careful form, but it's best to master easier variations first.
What equipment do I need for Around the World Superman Hold?
You need Body weight to perform Around the World Superman Hold. If you don't have this equipment, look for variations that target the same muscles with what you have available.
What are the best tips for Around the World Superman Hold?
Focus on slow, controlled arm movements to maximize time under tension and maintain stability in your torso. Actively squeeze your glutes throughout the entire exercise to protect your lower back and enhance hip extension. Keep your gaze directed at the floor to maintain a neutral cervical spine and prevent neck strain. Breathe steadily and deeply throughout the hold; avoid holding your breath, which can increase tension unnecessarily.
What are common mistakes when doing Around the World Superman Hold?
Hyperextending the neck by looking up can cause strain; instead, keep your head in line with your spine, looking down. Using momentum to swing your arms reduces muscle engagement; focus on a slow, deliberate arc to activate the target muscles effectively. Arching the lower back excessively instead of lifting from the glutes and upper back can strain the spine; ensure your glutes are actively squeezed to distribute the load evenly.
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Free · iPhone only · Available on the App Store