Exercise 0488 · REF zkgRrbK

Hyperextension (on Bench) exercise animation

Hyperextension (on Bench)

Category
Back
Equipment
Body Weight
Target
Spine

A bench-based hyperextension pins the hips at the pad and lets the torso hinge through a longer range than a floor-based version, loading the erectors and glutes through hip extension against gravity. Squeezing the glutes at the top rather than just arching the back is what keeps this a posterior-chain exercise instead of a lower-back-only one.

How to Do the Hyperextension (on Bench)

  1. Adjust the hyperextension bench so that your hips are resting comfortably on the pad and your feet are secured.
  2. Cross your arms over your chest or place your hands behind your head.
  3. Slowly lower your upper body towards the ground while keeping your back straight.
  4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then raise your upper body back up until it is in line with your legs.
  5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Muscles Worked

The Hyperextension (on Bench) primarily targets the Spine, with Glutes as the primary synergist muscle group, along with the Hamstrings.

More Back Exercises

More Spine Exercises

Equipment Alternatives

Don't have body weight? These target the same spine with different equipment.

FAQ

What muscles does the Hyperextension (on Bench) work?
The Hyperextension (on Bench) primarily targets the spine, with the glutes and hamstrings assisting.
What equipment do I need for the Hyperextension (on Bench)?
The Hyperextension (on Bench) is done with no equipment — just body weight.
What's a good alternative to the Hyperextension (on Bench)?
If you don't have access to the space or setup it needs, the Back Extension On Exercise Ball targets the same spine using stability ball instead.