Barbell Good Morning

A bar-on-the-back hinge that loads the hamstrings and spinal erectors through a long lever. Light and precise for sets of 6-10, never a lift to test a max on.

DIFFICULTY
Advanced
EQUIPMENT
Barbell
PRIMARY MUSCLES
Hamstrings · Lower back
ALSO WORKS
Glutes · Multifidus · Quadratus Lumborum
HOW TO DO IT
  1. 01Rack the bar on the upper back as for a back squat and step out.
  2. 02Set the feet hip to shoulder width with a soft bend in the knees.
  3. 03Brace the trunk and push the hips straight back.
  4. 04Lower the torso toward parallel, stopping where the back can stay flat.
  5. 05Drive the hips forward to return to standing.
COACHING CUES
  1. 01Hips back, chest follows.
  2. 02Stop the moment the back wants to round.
  3. 03Squeeze the glutes to stand up.
COMMON MISTAKES
  1. 01Going too heavy — the erectors fail before the hamstrings do and the spine flexes under load.
  2. 02Bending the knees to reach depth — it becomes a squat and the hamstrings come off tension.
  3. 03Losing the brace at the bottom — the ribs flare, the lumbar extends, and the load lands on one or two segments.

Note: Reference material, not a prescription. Load, volume and whether this movement suits you at all depends on your assessment — if something hurts, stop and get it looked at.

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