Hurting Your Back While Strengthening Your Back
I'm a Personal Trainer, DJ & MC in Los Angeles, California.
In this blog post i'm going to talk about hurting your back in the same place you would strengthen your back. The gym. I find it fascinating yet ironic in our fitness world – injuring your back at the gym, the very place we go to make it stronger. I discuss this topic at length with my clients. So, let's break it down.
Here's a thought - you go to the gym to build a strong back, but what if the gym is where you accidentally hurt yourself? Sounds ironic, right? Well, it's a rare scenario, but it does happen. And it's not the gym to blame, but rather how we approach our workouts and our overall lifestyle choices that lead us to these moments of getting hurt. The gym, is meant to be healing, not harmful. Misuse it, and it's a whole different story.
I can't stress this enough – your technique is critical in the gym. Quality over quantity attitude. Lifting heavy, doing squats, deadlifts, shoulder presses – these are great for your back, but only if done right. You take the wrong approach in the big picture of things, and you're asking for trouble.
Ever heard of going 'too hard, too fast'? That's exactly what you need to avoid. Pushing boundaries is essential, but there's a thin line between challenging yourself and being reckless. Those extra failure reps that don't have good technique because of fatigue are not worth taking especially if you don't have a lot of experience.
Fitness is not a straight line. You're going to be tired, not want to work and lose focus. But, being consistent & executing daily with good technique is the difference between you & the best. The rhythm & consistency in your routine is crucial for long-term gains. It’s about making progress, but also knowing when to ease off. Using rest effectively.
Fitness isn't just about lifting weights; it's a lifestyle. It's about how you live, what you eat, how you sleep, what you stress about. We're not just building muscles; we're cultivating a healthier, more resilient you. Using the proper functions of your body the way they are meant to be.
Our lifestyles have gotten too comfortable, and it's taking a toll on our physical health. We need to shake things up, get moving, and challenge our bodies the way nature intended.
The gym can be intimidating, and the fear of injury doesn't help. But let me tell you, the gym is more a friend than a foe. It's all about how you approach your workouts. With the right mindset and technique, the risk of injury is minimal. You dont need to get fancy to see healthy results & feel better about yourself.
Don't think you don't have enough time. Doing little things throughout your day and not necessarily waiting until your workout times makes a huge difference. You dont need to be in the gym long periods of time to see results.
The goal, is you don't want to let your body get tight. Your body doesn't move well when you are tight. The longer you are tight, the more likely your technique isn't as good in the gym. You want to be able to keep the body warm, lubricate the joints, and have good blood flow. This doesn't happen when you sit down for long periods of time. Doing little things throughout your day helps keep you loose & a healthier you.
In my years of training people, I’ve seen a lot. Injuries are rare among those who listen, who pay attention to the details, and respect the process. It's those who take shortcuts or ignore advice who end up learning the hard way. Trust me, I’ve been there, and I’ve seen it happen.
What's the takeaway? You want to use the gym to get stronger. Respect your body, respect the gym, and keep pushing your limits, but wisely. It’s about balance, awareness, and smart grit.
Thank you for tuning in to this blog post. I hope it sheds some light on how to navigate gym workouts safely and effectively. Remember, it's not just about being strong but being smart about how you get there. Stay safe, stay motivated, and let’s keep building those strong backs, the right way!