Healthy Back Workout 12

• Complete in one circuit with minimal rest in between exercises.
• Rest 1-2 minutes and then complete the 2nd circuit.

Slams

Stand with feet parallel and knees slightly bent.
Pull medicine ball back behind head and forcefully throw ball down on the ground as hard as possible.
Catch the ball on the bounce from the ground and repeat according to prescribed repetitions.

Start Position: Hold medicine ball with your arms extended over your right shoulder.
In one continuous motion bring the ball down in front of you like you are chopping wood and the ball should end towards your left foot.
Stand back up and raise the ball straight up over your left shoulder and now bring the ball down towards your right foot.
You will have to bend at your knees to complete this.
Return to starting position and repeat.

Side Flexion w/ Medicine and Stability Ball

Start Position: Lie on your side on top of the stability ball and separate your legs to maintain balance.
While holding a medicine ball in front of your chest laterally flex your trunk up towards the ceiling.
Return to starting position. Complete this on both sides.

Over the Back Toss

1. Stand with feet slightly wider than hip-width apart. Have a partner or trainer stand approximately 10-15 yards behind you.
2. Grasp ball and lower body into a semi-squat position. Explode up extending the entire body and throwing medicine ball up and over the body.
3. The goal is to throw the ball behind you as far as you and generating most of the power in the legs.
4. Catch ball on the bounce from your partner and repeat according to prescribed repetitions.

One Leg V-Up

1) Start position: Lie back onto floor or bench with knees bent, both hands behind head. Keep elbow back and out of sight. Head should be in a neutral position with a space between chin and chest.
2) Leading with the chin and chest towards the ceiling, contract the abdominal and raise shoulders off floor or bench. Extend arms and also raise one leg up toward ceiling.
3) Return to start position.
Remember to keep head and back in a neutral position. Hyperextension or flexion may cause injury. To increase resistance, hold medicine ball in hands. To decrease resistance, position hand closer towards body

Diagonal Chop

Starting Position: Start with your arms extended holding the medicine ball up and to your right.
2.Bring medicine ball down in a wood chopping motion towards your left foot.
3.During this motion your feet stay stationary and you rotate at your trunk. Repeat this motion for the desired repetitions and then repeat in the opposite direction.

Medicine Ball Back Extension

1. Position body face down on apparatus placing hips and ankles on respective pads.
2. Place hips (and not stomach) on pad. Place lower leg or achilles tendon area on pad. Hold a medicine ball against your chest.
3. Start position: Back should be parallel to ground with knees slightly bent.
4. Lower body until legs and hip are approximately at 90°.
5. Return to start position.
To increase resistance, place arms behind head -> arms extended overhead -> holding weight plate or weighted object across chest.