Can someone please explain to me what Good Mornings are?

[cannondale.]

I've gotten similar but mixed/different answers on this from people and I'm hoping to get a definite answer.

Do I put weights on my shoulder or behind my head? And do I do a lunge step forward then pop back up to standing position? Or do I bend over until I get to almost 90 degree angle with my back and legs and then bend back to standing position?

[Defiant1]

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/exer...l+Good+Morning

[-Ironside-]

o and see above

[cannondale.]

Thanks.

And thanks for the overly happy good morning pics too, lol.

[mybody001]

is it just me, or did everyone click on op's avatar before reading her post.

[OmniscientCause]

repped....

[spot_skater]

Originally Posted by mybody001

is it just me, or did everyone click on op's avatar before reading her post.

I read the post, and will now be clicking on the avatar.

OP-- it's when you keep a barbell on your back/traps and lean over with relatively straight legs till you get to almost 90 degrees (or whatever's comfortable) and go back to the starting position. It's for the lower back.

[cannondale.]

Originally Posted by spot_skater

I read the post, and will now be clicking on the avatar.

OP-- it's when you keep a barbell on your back/traps and lean over with relatively straight legs till you get to almost 90 degrees (or whatever's comfortable) and go back to the starting position. It's for the lower back.

Thanks, do you know what's a good starting weight? And does it work lower back and hamstrings, or does that depend on how you do them?

[mybody001]

keep your knees slightly bent throughout the movement. the lockout near the top is debatable. but go down until your torso is parallel to the floor.

[mybody001]

Originally Posted by cannondale.

Thanks, do you know what's a good starting weight? And does it work lower back and hamstrings, or does that depend on how you do them?

works your whole posterior chain yes. a good starting weight is zero, practice the motion first.

[cannondale.]

Originally Posted by mybody001

keep your knees slightly bent throughout the movement. the lockout near the top is debatable. but go down until your torso is parallel to the floor.

Bent is ok then? Won't that shift what part of the body you're working out if you slightly bend the knees? And thanks for the tips.

[jvh]

When I do this exercise I bend my legs slightly. I do something like a partial squat while keeping my back straight in the start position. Then while keeping my back straight and bending at the waist. I go down until my chest is parallel to the ground. When I do this I feel it in my hamstrings, gluts, and lower back. Like the guy said earlier, you should start off a zero weight so you can get whatever way works for you down. Straight leg or bent legs.

[spot_skater]

Originally Posted by cannondale.

Thanks, do you know what's a good starting weight? And does it work lower back and hamstrings, or does that depend on how you do them?

Originally Posted by mybody001

keep your knees slightly bent throughout the movement. the lockout near the top is debatable. but go down until your torso is parallel to the floor.

Originally Posted by mybody001

works your whole posterior chain yes. a good starting weight is zero, practice the motion first.

Those 3.

And: http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/...odMorning.html

[-Ironside-]

Originally Posted by mybody001

is it just me, or did everyone click on op's avatar before reading her post.

*sigh* I didn't even realize until now

[jdmalm123]

The ORIGINAL Good Morning (bottom of page)

http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_...g_the_deadlift

0) The ''Original'' Good Morning

Today, we know the good morning as an exercise where you hold the bar on the upper back, and bend forward, in a motion that's basically the same as a Romanian deadlift. But the original good morning exercise, which dates back to the early 1900s, is quite different.

It's similar to a Romanian deadlift, but the bar starts on the floor. The bar is close to the shins, the hips are very high (about as high, or higher, than in a conventional powerlifting deadlift) and the arms are fully extended.

From that position, lift the bar overhead in one smooth motion, while keeping your arms extended. In the finish position, you look like you completed a shoulder press.


This is a challenging movement, and one that I recommend only if it can be performed without rounding the lower back. Very light weights have to be used. This movement is a very good upper back, rear deltoid, rhomboid, and lower back builder. As such, it's an interesting postural movement.

It can also be used as a light warm-up for other deadlift movements. Remember this is not a swing or snatch. The movement should be performed under control, not explosively.

[mybody001]

Originally Posted by cannondale.

Bent is ok then? Won't that shift what part of the body you're working out if you slightly bend the knees? And thanks for the tips.

yes, it keeps your body in equilibrium so that the movement is possible. try a good morning with leg vertical, knees locked; you will throw your balance out making you fall forward. try a good morning with ass out knees locked; going all the way down will make your knees bend the other unnatural way [due to the weight and the weight of your torso pressing down on your legs] causing alot of strain and possible injury.

[dm63]

You can also try doing stiff-leg deadlifts or hyperextension. These two exercise work the same muscles as good mornings.

[bonvec01]

Originally Posted by jdmalm123

The ORIGINAL Good Morning (bottom of page)

http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_...g_the_deadlift

0) The ''Original'' Good Morning

Today, we know the good morning as an exercise where you hold the bar on the upper back, and bend forward, in a motion that's basically the same as a Romanian deadlift. But the original good morning exercise, which dates back to the early 1900s, is quite different.

It's similar to a Romanian deadlift, but the bar starts on the floor. The bar is close to the shins, the hips are very high (about as high, or higher, than in a conventional powerlifting deadlift) and the arms are fully extended.

From that position, lift the bar overhead in one smooth motion, while keeping your arms extended. In the finish position, you look like you completed a shoulder press.


This is a challenging movement, and one that I recommend only if it can be performed without rounding the lower back. Very light weights have to be used. This movement is a very good upper back, rear deltoid, rhomboid, and lower back builder. As such, it's an interesting postural movement.

It can also be used as a light warm-up for other deadlift movements. Remember this is not a swing or snatch. The movement should be performed under control, not explosively.

Interesting read all the way through.