The wheel punishes ego reps. If you chase full extension before you can keep the ribs down and hips tucked, the movement turns into a lower-back complaint instead of core work.
Shorter, cleaner reps are the fastest path to longer ones.
The fix
Use less range than you think you need and own the return.
- Think long spine, tucked ribs, and slow control on the way back in.
- Stop the rep where you can still keep tension in your trunk.
- Pair wheel work with simpler core patterns instead of trying to make it your whole abs program.