How to Do Lower Back Curl
Start and end of one clean rep of Lower Back Curl.
Quick facts
| Primary muscle | Core |
|---|---|
| Secondary muscles | — |
| Equipment | Bodyweight |
| Category | Stretching |
How to perform Lower Back Curl
- Lie on your stomach with your arms out to your sides. This will be your starting position.
- Using your lower back muscles, extend your spine lifting your chest off of the ground. Do not use your arms to push yourself up. Keep your head up during the movement. Repeat for 10-20 repetitions.
Muscles worked
- Core (primary): braces the trunk and resists twisting to protect the spine.
Sets & reps by goal
| Goal | Sets × reps | Load | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | 3–5 × 3–5 | Heavy (~85%+) | 2–3 min |
| Hypertrophy | 3–4 × 8–12 | Moderate (~65–75%) | 60–90 s |
| Endurance | 2–3 × 15–20 | Lighter (~50–60%) | 30–45 s |
As a mobility drill, hold each position for 20–40 seconds (or move slowly for reps) rather than training it to a heavy load.
Form tips
- Brace as if about to take a light punch and breathe shallowly — don't hold your breath for the whole set.
- Own the largest range you can control with clean form before you chase extra reps.
- Ease in until you feel mild tension, never pain, and breathe out as you sink a little deeper.
- Stop a rep or two short of failure on most sets to keep form clean and recover faster.
Common mistakes
- Cranking with the hip flexors or neck instead of moving from the trunk.
- Cutting the range short to squeeze out extra reps instead of owning each full one.
- Bouncing into the stretch instead of holding it steadily.
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does Lower Back Curl work?
Lower Back Curl is a focused movement that primarily works the core.
What equipment do I need for Lower Back Curl?
None — Lower Back Curl is a bodyweight movement, so you only need your bodyweight and a little space.
How many sets and reps should I do for Lower Back Curl?
It depends on your goal: about 3–5 sets of 3–5 heavy reps for strength, 3–4 sets of 8–12 for muscle growth, or 2–3 sets of 15–20 for endurance. As a mobility drill, hold each position for 20–40 seconds (or move slowly for reps) rather than training it to a heavy load.
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