Back Extension Exercise
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Starting Position
- The starting position for this back extension exercise is lying face down over the ball with the top of the ball under your waistline
- Hands rest lightly on the floor in front of you.
- Feet are shoulder width apart resting on the floor
Action
- Pull your shoulder blades together and slowly raise your chest up off the ball.
- Raise your arms up off the ball keeping your elbows straight and your arms in front of you.
- Lower arms and chest slowly.
Prime Movers
- Back extensors, supraspinatus, deltoid, glutes.
Physio Tips
- Be sure to master Back Extension Exercise 1 before trying this
- As your hands get further away from your trunk, the exercise gets harder.
- Keep your neck straight as you rise up.
- Press your tongue to the roof of your mouth to add to neck stability
- Pretend you have a grapefruit you are holding between your chin and your chest to engage the deep neck flexors and aid in neck stability.
- Think about pulling your chest up while keeping your chin tucked in so you achieve a smooth movement throughout your spine
- Keep the movement slow and focus on using your back muscles to pull yourself off the ball.
- Work only within your comfortable range of motion.
- If you've searched around the internet for this exercise you may notice a lot of people demonstrating this exercise hyperextending their backs. This is not functional and may give some people pain. Just lift until you are straight.
- This exercise should not cause shoulder pain. If you experience any shoulder pain see your physical therapist.
Progression
Try any of the following to make this ball exercise more difficult:
- Add 1-2 kg dumbbells.
- Add some air to your exercise ball to reduce the area of contact your ball has with the floor.
- Bring your feet closer together
If you try this exercise and you find your feet keep lifting off the floor, move the ball a little further forward. If you still have problems, anchor your feet against the wall behind you.
if you find you have no difficulty with the beginner version of this exercise, but this exercise is a little too difficult, try putting your arms across your chest and letting a bit of air out of your ball. Bringing your arms back brings your centre of gravity back and shortens your lever making this exercise ball exercise easier.
For more information on back exercises click here.
Repeat this ball exercise 6 times.
Repeat this ball exercise 10 times.
Repeat this ball exercise 12 times.
Return to the top of Back Extension on the Ball
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