Avoid This Forgotten Back-Breaker

Experienced weightlifters know most of the tricks needed to protect your lower back during a workout. But even seasoned gym rats often overlook a common cause of back injuries. Those who are new to weights should also pay close attention here before you pick up your first dumbbell. Because it's how you pick up that dumbbell that matters. Watch people pick weights up off the floor. That's where you see some of the ugliest form in the gym. Most people pick up weights by bending over with a rounded back. They would never do that during their exercise, but think nothing of it before or after their movement. And that's where they get into trouble. Back pain is a common affliction. According to a recent issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine, 85 percent of patients suffer "nonspecific back pain." Many cases start with improperly lifting something - whether it's a small child, a bag of groceries or 30-pound dumbbells. Don't think that because picking up or putting down weights is "not really part of your exercise" that you can use poor posture when you are moving weights around the gym. nn