Three Stretches to Help Alleviate Lower Back Stiffness

Waking-up in the morning with a stiff lower back can be very annoying. Below are three of my favorite exercises to help alleviate lower back stiffness.  I recommend that you go for a five minute walk to warm-up your muscles before performing these exercises.

KNEES TO CHEST



Lie on your back, and fully extend your body.   Bend your knees, and bring them in front of you to a position where you can reach them with your hands.  Firmly grasp your knees, and gently pull them toward your chest until you feel the stretch in your lower back.  Hold that position for 30 seconds.  Breathe deeply.  Click here to read the entire article

Seated Ball Twist and Planks, Two Great Exercises to Help Prevent Low Back Pain

Low back pain is a common ailment that can be very disruptive to simply performing the everyday activities of your life.  According to the American Chiropractic Association:

• Low back pain is the single leading cause of disability worldwide, according to the Global Burden of Disease 2010.
• Back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed work.  In fact, back pain is the second most common reason for visits to the doctor’s office, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections.
• One-half of all working Americans admit to having back pain symptoms each year.
• Experts estimate that as much as 80% of the population will experience a back problem at some time in their lives.
• Most cases of back pain are mechanical or non-organic—meaning they are not caused by serious conditions, such as inflammatory arthritis, infection, fracture or cancer.
• Americans spend at least $50 billion each year on back pain—and that’s just for the more easily identified costs.

However, the good news is that most back pain can be prevented through exercise.  Exercises that develop and strengthen your lower back and abdominal muscles are the best weapons for the treatment and prevention of low back pain and below are two of my favorites.  Please click here to see the entire article...

Try Wood Chops on a BOSU to Strengthen Your Core

Having a strong core is important in everything that you do from squatting to pick up your precious baby to carrying the groceries into the house.  Watch the following video as I demonstrate one of my favorite exercises for strengthening and developing your core.



You can find many more of my favorite exercises that I do with my clients at www.personaltrainerinraleighnc.com.

Dumbbell Row Using a Theraputic Ball, One of My Favorites

A strong back and a strong core equals great posture.  Watch below as I demonstrate one of my favorite exercises for developing and strengthening both you upper back and core.

Strength Training Over 50; Exercise Reduces Low-Back Pain

Here's another great benefit of starting and staying on a regular strength training program.  Medical professionals estimate that four out of five American adults experience occasional or chronic low-back discomfort.  Low-back pain is responsible for more employee absenteeism and medical expense than any other ailment except cold and flu.  However, you can reduce your risk of developing lower back pain with low-back strengthening exercises.

Exercise is so effective because there is a strong, positive relationship between weak low-back muscles, and low-back discomfort.  Several years of low-back pain studies conducted at the University of Florida demonstrated that systematic strengthening of the lower back muscles significantly reduced or eliminated discomfort in up to 80 percent of their patients.

The University of Florida strength training program for the lower back was simple.  All the participates performed one set of low-back extensions on a machine using a resistance that permitted between 8 to 15 repetitions.  And, on average each participant trained 3 days per week for a 10 week period.  Furthermore, other studies have shown that developing a strong mid-section ( abdominal, internal, and external obliques) also compliment stronger lower back muscles and further reduce the risk of low-back discomfort.

Although low-back pain is a complex medical issue, an appropriate program of lower back, and abdominal strengthening exercises appears to provide better musculoskeletal  function, support for vertebral column components, and shock absorption which reduces stress and excessive wear and tear on the overall low-back structure.  Consequently, all of this reduces the risk of low-back injury, and structural degeneration that leads to lower back pain and discomfort.

The above information is from Fitness Professional's Guide to Strength Training  Older Adults by Thomas R. Baechle, and Dr. Wayne L. Westcott.

Strength Training Over 50, Three Exercises to Strengthen Your Back

Performing a regular strength training program is one of the most important things you can do to maintain your muscle mass and strength as you age.  Below are three of my favorite exercises for developing and strengthening the muscles of your upper back which are critical for good posture, and reducing your risk of chronic neck and shoulder pain.

Exercise 1.  Lat Pulldown

The lat pulldown is a great exercise for strengthening and developing the upper back muscles that are critical for good posture.  People whose shoulders are slumped forward most likely have underdeveloped upper back muscles.

First, sit down and adjust the thigh pad to a position that firmly fits over your thighs.  Then select a resistance with which the last three repetitions are difficult to complete.  If this is your first time doing this exercise, it may take experimenting at several weights before you find the right resistance.  Next, grip the bar a little wider than shoulder width, sit down on the seat and place your knees firmly under the pad.  Start with your arms fully extended and your chest held high.  This is your start position. Now, pull the bar slowly down to the base of your neck while squeezing your shoulder blades back and together.   Slowly return the bar to the starting position.  (It should take about three seconds to pull the bar down and about two seconds to return the bar to its starting position). Proper breathing is very important, so remember to exhale as you pull the bar down and inhale as you return the bar to the starting position. 

Exercise # 2 - The Seated Row

The seated row is also an exercise that targets the muscles of the upper back.  Place the pin in a resistance with which the last three repetitions are difficult to complete, again you may have to experiment to find the appropriate weight for you.  Sit on the bench, and place your feet on the foot rest.  Lean forward, and grab the attachment.  Slide back until your legs are almost fully extended and hold the attachment waist height with your arms fully extended.  This is your start position.  Lift your chest high, and slowly pull your hands to your naval, while rolling your shoulders back and pinching your shoulder blades together.  Then, slowly return to the starting position.  Your breathing pattern for this exercise is to exhale when you are pulling in and inhale when you are returning to the starting position.

Exercise # 3 - Upright Rows

I like to incorporate three movements for the upper back because these muscles are often neglected and weak in most clients that I see.  Weak upper back muscles not only lead to posture problems, they also lead to neck and shoulder problems.  The upright row strengthens and develops the top portion of your trapezius -the muscle at the top of your shoulders that attaches to your neck.  Perform this exercise at the cable machine.  Attach a straight bar, and placing the pulley at the lowest level.  Grip the bar at a position where your hands are about an inch apart, and stand upright with your arms fully extended.  Position your feet shoulder width apart, slightly bend your knees, and lift your chest high.  This is your start position.  Pull your hands to the top of your chest, while keeping your elbows slightly higher than your hands. Then return to the start position.  Exhale as you pull the weight upward, and inhale as you return to the start position.

 

480 lb Deadlift at 57

 

Who says your strength declines with age?

Two Stretches for Lower Back Stiffness

Ever get up with a stiff back?  If so, try these two stretches below after a 10 minute walk to warm-up your muscles.

Lower Back Stretch

Lie on your back, and fully extend your body.   Bend your knees, and bring them in front of you to a position where you can reach them with your hands.  Firmly grasp your knees, and gently pull them toward your chest until you feel the stretch in your lower back.  Hold that position for 30 seconds.  Breathe normally.

Hip and Oblique

Lie on your back, and fully extend your body.  Bend your knees and bring your feet close to your butt.  Place one ankle over the knee of the opposite leg.  Slowly rotate your body in the direction of your crossed leg, while keeping your shoulders flat on the floor until you feel the stretch in your hip and oblique.  Hold this position for 30 seconds then, relax and do the other side.  Breathe normally.

Strength training is the best form of exercise you can do to maintain your muscle mass and strength as you age.  Trust me, I'm in my 50s and I strength train 3 to 4 times each week, and I'm as fit and strong as ever.  You can download my strength training programs by clicking on this link: Forever Fit and Firm.

Two Exercises For a Strong Mid-Section

Having a strong mid-section is key to preventing lower back pain.  Add these two exercises to your fitness program to really strengthen your abdominal and lower back muscles.

 Planks

Planks are good for strengthening and developing your abdominal and lower back muscles. Position your elbows on the floor directly beneath your shoulders, and fully extend your body flat on the floor. Now, in one motion raise your entire body off the floor with your back completely flat. Tighten your stomach, and hold this position for at least 30 seconds. Relax for 15 seconds, and repeat this exercise 10 more times

Vertical Knee Raises

 

Vertical knee raises strengthen and develop your abdominal and lower back muscles.  Position yourself on the machine to where your weight is resting on your elbows and your lower back is firmly pressed against the back rest.  This is your start position.  Exhale while slowly bringing your legs toward your chest and keeping a slight bend in your knees.  Lift your legs to slightly higher than parallel to the floor, and inhale while slowly returning to your start position.  Start with 2 sets of 15 repetitions.

Strength training is the most important type of exercise for maintaining your muscle mass, and improving your strength as you age.  Download my complete strength training programs for beginners to advanced level by clicking on this link: Forever Fit and Firm.