January 10, 2007

• Well, the USB bus on my computer decided to stop working yesterday.  Fortunately, after turning it of for a night, whatever the problem was reset itself.  It’s a very good thing, because I don’t want to even think about a new computer until the deployment.  Also, I don’t want to have to spend my tax return just yet.

  
  

  One of the more neglected areas of the body is the lower back.  It’s probably because everyone has that “lift with your legs, not with your back” idea pounded into their skulls.  The problem is, people avoid this area entirely.  For someone that works out, if you re constantly working your abdominal area, and not working your lower back, you will eventually begin to have lower back pain from the strength imbalance, du to the pulling of your abs.  This will be compounded by the fact that because your back hurts, you will completely avoid working it, or putting strain on it, which is exactly what is needed to strengthen it.  I had this problem when I first started lifting.  Another regular muscle imbalance is people who work their chest, but not their back.  You’ll be able to see than imbalance as the chest muscles pull on the shoulders and back.

  
  

  I am not a fan of doing very heavy loads when working the lower back, especially in the beginning.  It’s a very vulnerable, yet very essential area of the body, so overloading it isn’t a great idea.  One simple exercise can be done using a couch, or something that can hold your feet down at the toes.  You start by kneeling on the floor and placing your toes under the couch, up to the balls of your feet (you may want a towel or something soft to place under the knees) and then place your forearms on the floor.
  

  
  

  From there, without raising or lowering your butt, straighten into an almost upright position slowly, and slowly return to starting.  2-3 sets of 8 should be a good start, but don’t overdo it.
  

  
  

  Black 6, out.

  • 12:44 pm
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