Low Back Exercises
There will be many exercises incorporated into your fitness plan and workout routine and those for your lower back are just as important as the rest. There are a number of exercises you can do right from your own home.
Low back exercises are important for many reasons. They can help with any lower back pain you may be experiencing. They can also strengthen your back which is extremely important. Your back is used for almost every motion you do and a strong back will provide stability. You will also be able to lift a wide variety of items with ease with a strong back.
Strong muscles that are also flexible will also help maintain proper posture which prevents back strain. Back strain can cause serious problems to occur and hinder the progress of further exercise.
If you have a history of back problems, check with your physician before incorporating any back exercises into your fitness routine. Certain conditions may prohibit you from doing these exercises and you want to avoid causing any further injury or slowing down any type of recovery.
Before you begin, warm up your muscles with five to ten minutes of light aerobics. Walking or riding a stationary bicycle will take care of the cardio aspect of your routine. This will reduce the risk of injury. You should also stretch to warm up. This will prepare your muscles for the workout ahead.
There are back stretching exercises you can do either daily or every second day. This will depend on how often you perform the low back exercises. Never do them without stretching first. Stretching is essential because warm muscles are more flexible than cold ones and are less likely to tear.
One great low back exercise you can perform is the cat-dog stretch. The cat-dog stretch is perfect for anyone with an office job or after a long car ride. It helps improve flexibility of your spine which is essential for any type of movement or activity. This stretch can be performed anywhere, no equipment is needed. In between emails give the cat-dog stretch a try, it feels good. Use your abs to execute this move. Hold and count to five. Relax and rest for several seconds before repeating five to 15 times. You will exhale as you lower your back to the floor and inhale while you relax.
Another great low back exercise is the basic spinal twist. The spinal twist stretch tones and relaxes the spinal joints and muscles. The spinal twist releases tightness and gently massages the organs. This is a yoga style stretch that will lengthen the hips and tone the trunk. Exhale and maintain an upright torso. This will give your back a good stretch. Sit on the floor with one leg straight in front, cross the other leg over with the knee bent. Hook the opposite elbow over the top knee. Rotate the spine toward the side of the top leg. Turn your head as far as is comfortable to the same direction. Keep your chest up as high as possible.
If you are looking for a leg workout, try our leg specialization workout.
