Strong backs take a bow

This exercise targets the backs of your thighs, buttocks and back muscles. It is sometimes performed while holding a weighted bar above your shoulders, but this is a safer way to perform the same move.

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1 Stand on tubing with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent. Bend your arms, bringing your hands close to your chest. Pull your abdominals in and keep your chest lifted.

2 Slowly bend forward at the hips, keeping a straight back until your torso is nearly parallel to the floor. Now reverse the movement and raise back to the start position. During the exercise keep your shoulder blades pulled together and down away from your ears. Do not let your arms straighten or let your back start to round forward. Perform 12 to 16 repetitions, rest for 30 seconds, then repeat for a second set.

Karen Voight can be reached at kvoightla@ aol.com.