Atlas Stones

A back exercise targeting the lower back.

Atlas Stones demonstration
Atlas Stones — demonstration

Body part

Back

Equipment

Other

Target muscles

Lower Back

Secondary muscles

Abdominals, Adductors, Biceps, Calves, Forearms, Glutes, Hamstrings, Middle Back, Quadriceps, Traps

How to do Atlas Stones

  1. Begin with the atlas stone between your feet. Bend at the hips to wrap your arms vertically around the Atlas Stone, attempting to get your fingers underneath the stone. Many stones will have a small flat portion on the bottom, which will make the stone easier to hold.

  2. Pulling the stone into your torso, drive through the back half of your feet to pull the stone from the ground.

  3. As the stone passes the knees, lap it by sitting backward, pulling the stone on top of your thighs.

  4. Sit low, getting the stone high onto your chest as you change your grip to reach over the stone. Stand, driving through with your hips. Close distance to the loading platform, and lean back, extending the hips to get the stone as high as possible.

Muscles worked

Primary (target)

Lower Back

Secondary

AbdominalsAdductorsBicepsCalvesForearmsGlutesHamstringsMiddle BackQuadricepsTraps

Related exercises

All back exercises →

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