question about good-mornings - Exercise & Fitness Message Board

dancergal19 · 07-31-2007, 08:03 AM

I just started doing this exercise because I would like to tone the muscles in my legs and back. I have been using a 15 lb barbell but I'm not sure I'm doing the exercise correctly because I don't really feel anything when i'm doing it. I'm fairly small (5'4, 108) so I figured 15 lbs would be a good weight but now I'm not sure, I don't use free weights very often. I'm also bending my knees a little because I read that if you keep your knees straight it doesn't work all the muscle groups. Am I doing anything wrong or do I need to up the weight??

Thanks!

Naxis · 07-31-2007, 09:43 AM

If you don't feel anything at all, up the weight to 20 and do the repititions very slowly (literally 3 seconds down and 3 seconds up). Good Mornings are one exercise that you don't want to overload weight on since it is so easy to hurt your back. If you slow down the reps, you will increase the intensity of the exercise without needing to increase weight. As for form, you should keep your legs straight, but do not lock your knees. If you bend them much, you're taking the focus away from the glutes and lower back - but Good Mornings aren't really intended to hit all the leg muscles, mostly glutes, hams and lower back. You might look at deadlifts and squats to get the full lower body workout in there.

SammyT · 07-31-2007, 11:53 AM

dumb question haha ... wat r good mornings?

dancergal19 · 08-01-2007, 07:58 AM

thanks, Naxis! I tried doing them at a much slower pace yesterday at the gym and I think it really helped.. i'm a little sore this morning!

Sammy - good mornings are when you place a barbell on your shoulders/upper back and hold on with your hands and then bend your upper body until your back (which must stay straight not curved) is parallel to the floor. They target your back muscles, glutes and hamstrings.