Exercise Comparison
Atlas Stones vs Hug A Ball
Side-by-Side
Muscle Analysis
Shared
Only in Atlas Stones
Instructions
Atlas Stones
Begin with the atlas stone between your feet. Bend at the hips to wrap your arms vertically around the Atlas Stone, attempting to get your fingers underneath the stone. Many stones will have a small flat portion on the bottom, which will make the stone easier to hold.
Pulling the stone into your torso, drive through the back half of your feet to pull the stone from the ground.
As the stone passes the knees, lap it by sitting backward, pulling the stone on top of your thighs.
Sit low, getting the stone high onto your chest as you change your grip to reach over the stone. Stand, driving through with your hips. Close distance to the loading platform, and lean back, extending the hips to get the stone as high as possible.
Hug A Ball
Seat yourself on the floor.
Straddle an exercise ball between both legs and lower your hips down toward the floor.
Hug your arms around the ball to support your body. Adjust your legs so that your feet are flat on the floor and your knees line up over your ankles. Keep a good grip on the ball so it doesn't roll away from you and send you back onto your buttocks.
Verdict
Both exercises target the lower back. Atlas Stones is a expert exercise using other, while Hug A Ball is beginner and uses exercise ball. Choose Hug A Ball if you're looking for a more accessible option, or Atlas Stones for a greater challenge. Atlas Stones is a compound movement working multiple joints, making it better for overall strength. Hug A Ball isolates the target muscle for focused development.