Movement overview

The Barbell Good Morning is a compound exercise that primarily targets the lower back, hamstrings, and glutes. It involves bending at the hips while maintaining a neutral spine, which helps in strengthening the posterior chain and improving hip hinge mechanics.

Step-by-step cues

1. Begin by setting up a barbell on a squat rack at shoulder height.
2. Position yourself under the barbell, resting it across your upper back and shoulders. Grip the bar slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
3. Lift the bar off the rack by extending your legs and stepping back to clear the rack.
4. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes pointing slightly outward.
5. Engage your core and keep your chest up. Maintain a slight bend in your knees.
6. Hinge at the hips by pushing them backward while keeping your back straight and chest up.
7. Lower your torso until it is nearly parallel to the ground or as far as your flexibility allows without rounding your back.
8. Reverse the movement by driving through your heels and extending your hips to return to the starting position.

Technical tips

• Keep your core tight throughout the movement to protect your lower back.
• Focus on hinging at the hips rather than bending at the waist to maintain proper form.
• Start with a light weight to master the technique before progressing to heavier loads.
• Ensure that your knees remain slightly bent throughout the exercise to avoid unnecessary strain.
• Maintain a neutral spine by keeping your head in line with your torso; avoid looking up or down excessively.
• Control the descent and ascent of the movement to maximize muscle engagement and minimize injury risk.