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Direction-of-travel diagram for the trunk stability pattern. Photography for the Hollow-Body Hold is not shot yet.
CalisthenicsIn review

Hollow-Body Hold

A face-up hold with the lower back on the floor and the arms and legs raised.

This page is a working draft. A coach has not reviewed it, so read it as a starting point, not as checked instruction.

Pattern
Trunk stability
Modality
Calisthenics
Difficulty
Intermediate
Mechanic
Unknown
Force
Unknown
Laterality
Bilateral
Impact
Low
Trains where
Gym, Home
At home
Yes

How to do it

Set up

  1. Lie on the back with the legs together and the arms extended overhead.
  2. Press the lower back into the floor.

Do the rep

  1. Lift the shoulder blades and straight legs just clear of the floor.
  2. Hold the hollow shape without lifting the lower back.
  3. Lower the arms and legs to finish.

What counts as a rep

Count only time held with the shoulder blades and straight legs raised, the arms overhead and the lower back on the floor.

Count only time held with the shoulder blades and straight legs raised, the arms overhead and the lower back on the floor.

Breathing

Breathe steadily without losing lower-back contact.

Cues

  • Keep the lower back down.
  • Reach through the fingers and toes.
  • Hold the shape still.

Common mistakes

  • Back arching

    What you seeA gap opens under the lower back.

    FixEnd the hold or use a reviewed bent-knee regression.

    Floor contact defines the hollow shape.

  • Head reaching forward

    What you seeThe chin presses toward the chest while the shoulders rest.

    FixLift the shoulder blades and keep the neck relaxed.

    The trunk must hold the curl.

Stop the set if

  • Stop if you feel sharp pain.
  • End the set when the lower back lifts or the legs touch down.

General educational content, not individual coaching or medical advice.

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