How to Do Weighted Ball Hyperextension
Start and end of one clean rep of Weighted Ball Hyperextension.
Quick facts
| Primary muscle | Hamstrings |
|---|---|
| Secondary muscles | Glutes, Core |
| Equipment | Bodyweight |
| Category | Strength |
How to perform Weighted Ball Hyperextension
- To begin, lie down on an exercise ball with your torso pressing against the ball and parallel to the floor. The ball of your feet should be pressed against the floor to help keep you balanced. Place a weighted plate under your chin or behind your neck. This is the starting position.
- Slowly raise your torso up by bending at the waist and lower back. Remember to exhale during this movement.
- Hold the contraction on your lower back for a second and lower your torso back down to the starting position while inhaling.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions prescribed in your program.
Muscles worked
- Hamstrings (primary): bends the knee and extends the hip through hinges and pulls.
- Glutes (secondary): extends and stabilises the hip — the engine behind hinges, squats and sprints.
- Core (secondary): 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 |
Bodyweight movement: once you own the top of a rep range, progress by slowing the tempo, pausing at the hardest point, or moving to a harder variation instead of adding load.
Form tips
- Lead with the hips, keep a soft knee and hold a long, flat back through the hinge.
- Own the largest range you can control with clean form before you chase extra reps.
- Treat every rep the same — a repeatable setup and bar path is what lets you add weight safely over time.
- Warm up the pattern with a couple of lighter, submaximal sets before your working sets.
Common mistakes
- Rounding the lower back to reach lower instead of hinging at the hips.
- Cutting the range short to squeeze out extra reps instead of owning each full one.
- Chasing weight jumps before the current load feels solid on every rep.
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does Weighted Ball Hyperextension work?
Weighted Ball Hyperextension mainly works the hamstrings, with the glutes, core helping as secondary movers.
What equipment do I need for Weighted Ball Hyperextension?
None — Weighted Ball Hyperextension is a bodyweight movement, so you only need your bodyweight and a little space.
How many sets and reps should I do for Weighted Ball Hyperextension?
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. Bodyweight movement: once you own the top of a rep range, progress by slowing the tempo, pausing at the hardest point, or moving to a harder variation instead of adding load.
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