Good Morning
An intermediate compound powerlifting exercise that works the hamstrings, using a barbell.
Starting position
End position
How to Do Good Morning
- Begin with a bar on a rack at shoulder height. Rack the bar across the rear of your shoulders as you would a power squat, not on top of your shoulders. Keep your back tight, shoulder blades pinched together, and your knees slightly bent. Step back from the rack.
- Begin by bending at the hips, moving them back as you bend over to near parallel. Keep your back arched and your cervical spine in proper alignment.
- Reverse the motion by extending through the hips with your glutes and hamstrings. Continue until you have returned to the starting position.
Muscles Worked
Alternatives to Good Morning
10 movements that train the same primary muscle, closest substitutes first — same kind of training, then variations of the movement itself, then a similar difficulty.
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1
Good Morning off Pins
An intermediate compound powerlifting exercise that works the hamstrings, using a barbell.
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2
Hanging Bar Good Morning
An intermediate compound powerlifting exercise that works the hamstrings, using a barbell.
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3
Band Good Morning
A beginner compound powerlifting exercise that works the hamstrings, using a resistance band.
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4
Band Good Morning (Pull Through)
A beginner compound powerlifting exercise that works the hamstrings, using a resistance band.
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5
Glute Ham Raise
An intermediate compound powerlifting exercise that works the hamstrings, using a machine.
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6
Sumo Deadlift
An intermediate compound powerlifting exercise that works the hamstrings, using a barbell.
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7
Sumo Deadlift with Bands
An intermediate compound powerlifting exercise that works the hamstrings, using a barbell.
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8
Sumo Deadlift with Chains
An intermediate compound powerlifting exercise that works the hamstrings, using a barbell.
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9
Reverse Band Sumo Deadlift
An advanced compound powerlifting exercise that works the hamstrings, using a barbell.
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10
Alternating Hang Clean
An intermediate compound strength exercise that works the hamstrings, using a kettlebell.
Frequently Asked Questions
What muscles do good morning work?
Good Morning primarily works the hamstrings. The abs, glutes and lower back assist as secondary muscles.
What equipment do I need for good morning?
Good Morning uses barbell.
Good Morning: is it suitable for beginners?
Good Morning is rated intermediate. Movements that assume you already own the basic pattern and are ready to load it.
What can I do instead of good morning?
Good Morning off Pins, Hanging Bar Good Morning, Band Good Morning train the same primary muscles and are listed with 7 more alternatives above.
Can Fitnit count my good morning reps automatically?
Not automatically yet. Fitnit's AI rep counting covers push-ups, squats, dumbbell curls, crunches and pull-ups today; good morning can be logged manually in the app, and tracked movements are added over time.
Photographs and step-by-step instructions from free-exercise-db, a public-domain exercise dataset. Muscle mapping and alternatives by Fitnit.
Track Your Good Morning with AI
Fitnit automatically tracks push-ups, crunches, squats, pull-ups, and curls with advanced body tracking technology — and you can manually input any other workout too. Start free — Pro is $8.99/month.