How to do the Barbell Good Morning
Step by step
- Rest a light barbell across your upper back, feet about hip-width apart.
- Keep a soft bend in your knees and brace your core.
- Push your hips straight back and hinge your torso forward toward parallel.
- Feel the hamstrings stretch, then drive your hips forward to stand back up.
The thing people get wrong
Stay light and controlled - this rewards a smooth hip hinge, not heavy load. Stop the moment your lower back wants to round.
Coaching cue
Push your hips back toward the wall behind you instead of bending your chest down.
Stay safe
Stand up and stop the set the moment your lower back starts to round under the bar.
Make it easier or harder
- Easier: Do the same hinge with no bar, hands crossed on your chest.
Muscles worked
- Primary: Hamstrings, Glutes
- Secondary: Core, Upper Back
What to do instead
Same job, different movement — useful if you don't have the equipment or it doesn't feel right today.
Daily Coach builds this into a real weekly plan. It picks the exercises for your equipment and experience, swaps around injuries you tell it about, and tracks what you actually lifted.