How to Do Pyramid
Start and end of one clean rep of Pyramid.
Quick facts
| Primary muscle | Core |
|---|---|
| Secondary muscles | Shoulders |
| Equipment | Bodyweight |
| Category | Stretching |
How to perform Pyramid
- Start off by rolling your torso forward onto the ball so your hips rest on top of the ball and become the highest point of your body.
- Rest your hands and feet on the floor. Your arms and legs can be slightly bent or straight, depending on the size of the ball, your flexibility, and the length of your limbs. This also helps develop stabilizing strength in your torso and shoulders.
Muscles worked
- Core (primary): braces the trunk and resists twisting to protect the spine.
- Shoulders (secondary): raises and rotates the arms and drives everything overhead.
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.
- Breathe out on the effort and in on the return, keeping one steady rhythm across the set.
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 Pyramid work?
Pyramid mainly works the core, with the shoulders helping as secondary movers.
What equipment do I need for Pyramid?
None — Pyramid is a bodyweight movement, so you only need your bodyweight and a little space.
How many sets and reps should I do for Pyramid?
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.
Train Pyramid with a coach in your pocket
Gimmy is your AI gym buddy — it programs Pyramid into recovery-aware workouts, tracks your sets, and shows one score that tells you if it's working.
Get early access