Skip to content
ascend.
Exercise guide

Atlas Stones

How to do the Atlas Stones with correct form, the muscles it works, and where it fits a training plan you actually stick to.

CompoundOtherExpertPull
Primary muscles

Lower Back

Secondary

Abs, Adductors, Biceps, Calves, Forearms, Glutes, Hamstrings, Mid Back, Quads, Traps

Equipment

Other

Step by step

How to do the Atlas Stones

  1. 1

    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.

  2. 2

    Pulling the stone into your torso, drive through the back half of your feet to pull the stone from the ground.

  3. 3

    As the stone passes the knees, lap it by sitting backward, pulling the stone on top of your thighs.

  4. 4

    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.

In Ascend

Log it, see it on your body.

Every Atlas Stones set you log feeds Ascend's anatomy heatmap — so your lower back volume is visible at a glance — and counts toward your bodyweight-strength tier.

Related

More lower back exercises

Ascend Club

The climb is free. The Club is how you go further.

Core tracking is free forever. Club unlocks the coach, the competition, and the depth — for the price of one protein-shake a month.

AI Coach

Your own coach character

Pick Rae, June or Atlas — a coach that reads your last 90 days and proposes the next move. Free gets nudges; Club gets the full conversation.

Leagues

Mountain leagues, worldwide

Get ranked against climbers everywhere — every muscle tiered by bodyweight strength. Promote, demote, and prove it weekly.

Challenges

Weekly + monthly challenges

Fresh goals that keep the streak interesting — solo or with your crew. Something to chase beyond your own numbers.

Analytics

Deep analytics + PR projections

See exactly when you'll hit your next PR and bodyweight goal — 4, 8, 12 weeks out. The trajectory, not just today's number.

Crews

Unlimited crews

Run as many crews as you want — squads, family, gym friends. Shared summits, cheers, and a feed that keeps everyone climbing.

Themes & more

Themes, higher AI limits, full export

Aurora, Volcanic and Summit themes. More AI chat headroom. And CSV + JSON export of everything, anytime — your data stays yours.

See Club plans

14-day free trial · no card · cancel anytime · founder pricing locked forever.