Bodyweight Exercise: One-leg Power Bridge

Doing the power bridge with one leg off the floor is a great exercise for your back and glutes.

one leg power bridge

Step 1: Start by lying on the floor, on your back, knees bent, feet flat on the floor.

Pressing your elbows and shoulders into the floor, press your pelvis upward to form the bridge position.

Then, tense your glutes and lift one leg off the ground so it is straight out in front of you.

Hold this position.

one leg power bridge

Step 2: Lower your leg, and repeat with the other leg.

Do at least two reps, alternating legs each time.

One-leg Power Bridge video:

[video coming soon]

See more exercise guides in The Bodyweight Exercise Collection.

Bodyweight Exercise: Power Bridge

The power bridge is a type of back bridge. It is a great workout for your back and glutes, and it doesn’t require Olympic gymnast flexibility to do it.

power bridge

Step 1: Start by lying on the floor, on your back, knees bent, feet flat on the floor.

Pressing your elbows and shoulders into the floor, press your pelvis upward to form the bridge position.

Hold.

Power Bridge video:

[video coming soon]

See more exercise guides in The Bodyweight Exercise Collection.

Bodyweight Exercise: Alternating Superman

Like Superman, but this time you alternate arms and legs.

alternating superman

Step 1: Lie on stomach.

alternating superman

Step 2: Right arm and left leg come up.

alternating superman

Step 3: Then left arm and right leg come up.

Do reps, keep alternating sides like that.

Alternating Superman video:

[video coming soon]

See more exercise guides in The Bodyweight Exercise Collection.

Bodyweight Exercise: The Superman

The superman is not just a chance to emulate your favorite super hero – it’s also a great back exercise.

superman

Step 1: Lie face down on the floor, arms and legs straight out.

superman

Step 2: Lift arms and legs off floor.

Keep your abs and back tight.

Can do reps or hold for 60-90 seconds.

Superman video:

[video coming soon]

See more exercise guides in The Bodyweight Exercise Collection.

Bodyweight Exercise: Ball Back Extension

Here is an exercise to work your back muscles. It is similar to a back extension you would do at the gym, but it can be done at home on an exercise ball.

ball back extension

Step 1: Start out on top of the ball, with the ball resting under your stomach. Your hands should be beside your ears, and you can have either your knees or your toes on the floor.

(With your knees on the floor, it gives you stability to focus on your back, like if you were on a back extension bench. With your feet on the floor, the exercise requires more core muscles to stabilize your body. Take your pick.)

ball back extension

Step 2: Contract your back muscles to lift your head and shoulders.

At the peak of the the extension, your shoulders, hips, and knees should be roughly in a straight line. (Or if you’re on your toes, your shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles should be in line.) This is a fairly short range of motion, but it effectively targets your lower back.

Then lower back down and repeat.

Ball Back Extension video:

[video coming soon]

See more exercise guides in The Bodyweight Exercise Collection.