Avoid Back Pain

This article gives an overview of techniques that can be applied to avoid lower back pain and hernia injuries while working out. Lower back injuries are one of the most common types of injuries affecting Americans today. Don't let lower back pain hamper your quest for fitness!

Certainly some people are more predisposed to have lower back pain and hernial injuries. Genetics plays a role in every aspect of our lives. In the gym setting however, most lower back pain and hernial injuries are not due to genetics alone, but instead are due to poor lifting techniques and poor planning.

When someone begins a workout/fitness routine, certain areas must take higher priorities than others. But near the top of the list should be core strengthening and posture. Have a fitness specialist check out your posture before starting. At the very least, stand naturally in front of the mirror. Does you lower back sway forward in the classic beer-gut posture (lordosis)? Or does it produce more of a "C" effect, curving backwards (kyphosis)? Regardless, there are some specifics to be followed when starting a routine.

1) When doing weight training exercises, keep your ab's tight and in a neutral spine posture.

2) Never, ever forget number 1. Your form should never suffer! If you ever change your form you will either hurt yourself now or later. And, if you analyze it, you'll notice that bad form does not allow you to workout the area you want to workout any more, but instead recruits other body parts to help, defeating the purpose. Never have bad form!

What type of curvature does your back have?

Credit: Stephen Schultz

Copyright: Stephen Schultz