Exercise Ball Back Extension With Hands Behind Head

Strengthen your erector spinae and glutes with the Exercise Ball Back Extension. Safely improve posture and core stability by lifting your torso on a

Intermediate
Compound
Pull
1 min per set2 min rest

Description

A strength training exercise targeting the lower back muscles. The person lies face down on an exercise ball, with feet touching the ground and hands placed behind the head. They then lift their upper body off the ball.

Save Exercise Ball Back Extension With Hands Behind Head to a routine

Log sets, reps, and weight as you train — free in the Ellim app.

Get Ellim — Free

How to Do Exercise Ball Back Extension With Hands Behind Head

  1. 1
    Setup

    Position your hips and lower abdomen over the stability ball, ensuring your torso can extend freely without the ball restricting movement.

  2. 2
    Setup

    Anchor your feet firmly against a wall or heavy object, or widen your stance for stability, keeping your legs relatively straight.

  3. 3
    Setup

    Place your hands lightly behind your head, keeping your elbows wide, or cross them over your chest for a slightly easier variation.

  4. 4

    Inhale at the bottom, then exhale as you slowly extend your spine, lifting your torso until your body forms a straight line from head to heels.

  5. 5

    Squeeze your glutes and erector spinae at the top of the movement, avoiding hyperextension of the lower back past a neutral spine.

  6. 6

    Inhale as you slowly lower your torso back down in a controlled manner, allowing your back to round slightly over the ball to feel a stretch.

Tips

  • Focus on initiating the movement from your lower back and glutes, rather than pulling with your neck or upper back.
  • Maintain a neutral head and neck position, keeping your gaze fixed on the floor slightly in front of you to prevent neck strain.
  • Control both the upward and downward phases of the movement, avoiding any jerky motions or relying on momentum.
  • To increase difficulty, hold a light weight plate against your chest instead of placing hands behind your head.

Common Mistakes

  • ×Hyperextending the lower back: Avoid arching excessively at the top; stop when your body forms a straight line to protect your spine.
  • ×Using momentum: Do not swing your torso up quickly; instead, perform the movement slowly and with control to effectively engage the target muscles.
  • ×Pulling on the neck: Refrain from pulling your head forward with your hands; keep your neck in line with your spine and your gaze neutral.

In the Ellim app, Exercise Ball Back Extension With Hands Behind Head unlocks

Free — no subscription needed

  • Log sets, reps, and weight

    Track every set as you train

  • See your strength curve

    Performance graphs across all sessions

  • Add to a routine

    Save into a custom workout in one tap

  • Rest timer with Live Activity

    Dynamic Island countdown between sets

  • HealthKit sync

    Workouts flow to Apple Health

  • 3,500+ exercise library

    Search, filter, and pick variations offline

Ready to train exercise ball back extension with hands behind head?

Get Ellim — Free

Frequently Asked Questions

What muscles does Exercise Ball Back Extension With Hands Behind Head work?
Exercise Ball Back Extension With Hands Behind Head primarily targets Erector Spinae. Secondary muscles include Gluteus Maximus.
Is Exercise Ball Back Extension With Hands Behind Head good for beginners?
Exercise Ball Back Extension With Hands Behind Head 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 Exercise Ball Back Extension With Hands Behind Head?
You need Stability ball to perform Exercise Ball Back Extension With Hands Behind Head. 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 Exercise Ball Back Extension With Hands Behind Head?
Focus on initiating the movement from your lower back and glutes, rather than pulling with your neck or upper back. Maintain a neutral head and neck position, keeping your gaze fixed on the floor slightly in front of you to prevent neck strain. Control both the upward and downward phases of the movement, avoiding any jerky motions or relying on momentum. To increase difficulty, hold a light weight plate against your chest instead of placing hands behind your head.
What are common mistakes when doing Exercise Ball Back Extension With Hands Behind Head?
Hyperextending the lower back: Avoid arching excessively at the top; stop when your body forms a straight line to protect your spine. Using momentum: Do not swing your torso up quickly; instead, perform the movement slowly and with control to effectively engage the target muscles. Pulling on the neck: Refrain from pulling your head forward with your hands; keep your neck in line with your spine and your gaze neutral.

Track every rep of Exercise Ball Back Extension With Hands Behind Head.

Watch your weight climb session by session. See your strength curve. Add it to a routine you'll actually run.

Get Ellim — Free

Ready to train?

Exercise Ball Back Extension With Hands Behind Head

Get Ellim — Free