A stretch performed on a stability ball to target the lower back and lats, also engaging the glutes and hamstrings. It involves rolling the ball under your lower back and gently extending over it to stretch the muscles.
Quick Facts
How to Do Exercise Ball Lower Back Stretch (pyramid)
Follow these step-by-step instructions to perform Exercise Ball Lower Back Stretch (pyramid) with proper form and technique.
- Sit on the stability ball with your feet flat on the ground and your knees bent at a 90-degree angle.
- Slowly walk your feet forward, rolling the ball down your back until your lower back is resting on the ball.
- Place your hands behind your head or cross them over your chest.
- Engage your core and slowly lower your upper body towards the ground, allowing your lower back to stretch over the ball.
- Hold the stretch for a few seconds, then slowly return to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Muscles Worked
Understanding which muscles Exercise Ball Lower Back Stretch (pyramid) targets helps you integrate it effectively into your training program.
Target Muscles
These are the main muscles responsible for performing the movement and receive the greatest training stimulus.
Secondary Muscles
These muscles assist in the movement and receive secondary training benefits.
Benefits of Exercise Ball Lower Back Stretch (pyramid)
Incorporating Exercise Ball Lower Back Stretch (pyramid) into your workout routine offers numerous advantages for strength, muscle development, and overall fitness.
- Lats Development: Exercise Ball Lower Back Stretch (pyramid) directly targets and strengthens the Lats, promoting muscle growth and improved functional strength.
- Secondary Muscle Engagement: This exercise also works the Glutes and Hamstrings, providing additional training stimulus without extra exercises.
- Improved Flexibility: Regular stretching helps increase range of motion, reduce muscle tension, and decrease the risk of injury.
- Beginner-Friendly: This exercise is accessible to those new to fitness, with a movement pattern that's relatively easy to learn with proper instruction.
- Corrects Imbalances: As a unilateral exercise, it helps identify and correct strength imbalances between sides of the body.
Safety Tips and Precautions
Performing Exercise Ball Lower Back Stretch (pyramid) safely is essential for preventing injuries and ensuring long-term progress.
- Warm Up Properly: Before performing Exercise Ball Lower Back Stretch (pyramid), complete 5-10 minutes of light cardio followed by dynamic stretches targeting the Lats and surrounding muscles.
- Prioritize Form Over Weight: Never sacrifice proper technique for heavier weights. Poor form significantly increases injury risk and reduces the exercise's effectiveness.
- Protect Your Lower Back: Maintain a neutral spine throughout the movement. Never round your lower back under load.
- Respect Your Range of Motion: Work within your current mobility limits. Gradually improve flexibility over time rather than forcing deeper positions.
- Don't Hold Your Breath: Maintain consistent breathing throughout the exercise. Exhale during the exertion phase and inhale during the easier phase.
- Know When to Stop: End your set when you can no longer maintain proper form. Training to absolute failure on every set increases injury risk.
- Allow Adequate Recovery: The Lats typically need 48-72 hours to recover after intense training. Avoid training the same muscle group on consecutive days.
Tracking Your Progress
To make consistent gains with Exercise Ball Lower Back Stretch (pyramid), track these metrics during your workouts:
Track the number of sets you complete. Most training programs recommend 3-5 sets per exercise.
Record your repetitions per set. Adjust rep ranges based on your goals: 1-5 for strength, 6-12 for hypertrophy, 12+ for endurance.
Track duration for time-based sets. Focus on maintaining quality form throughout the entire time period.