Good Mornings :(

[natedog]

I've been doing GM's as part of my leg workout for quite some time. I've never really gone heavy (~100 lbs tops), considering them to be more of a conditioning exercise than mass/strength-building.

So I read about how the powerlifters stack on the weight, and since my lower back and hams seem to be weaker points in my squats, I figured I'd step the GM's up a notch. On the first set I did heavier than normal (only 135 lbs), I noticed a little twinge in my left ham. It wasn't really pain, and it wasn't persistant, but it happens every time I bend forward for a GM now. It's like two muscle fibers are arranged one way when I'm standing, and they want to switch places when I bend forward, and then switch back as I erect myself.

Worse yet, now it happens even when I do them with lighter weight. It's not painful, really, just annoying, and a bit scary. I'm not sure if it's my body telling me to ease off, or just some wierd defect in my left hamstring?

Anyone got any advice? It doesn't happen with leg curls on a machine, btw, or with deadlifts or squats.

 

[bignate73]

stretch your hams and glutes, even your calves before and see what happens again.

 

[bignate73]

ps....are your knees bent at all? it doesnt sound like it.

 

[spatts]

ps....are your knees bent at all? it doesnt sound like it.

That's what I was wondering too.

 

[vinylgroover]

I tried them a few times and found them too risky for the lower back. I kept getting a terrible twinge in my lower back from them that was screaming at me to stop.

I just stick to deadlifts.....it's a far more 'natural' movement.

 

[Zander1983]

I tried them a few times and found them too risky for the lower back. I kept getting a terrible twinge in my lower back from them that was screaming at me to stop.

I just stick to deadlifts.....it's a far more 'natural' movement.

I don't like them much either, though their major involvement in WSB's success must say something...

I much prefer the many deadlift variations that can achieve similar results.

 

[spatts]

Wow, I count on GM's to increase my deadlift and squat. Funny how we're all different, huh? I wouldn't say I enjoy goodmornings, but they are definitely a staple in my workout. Of course, I train my lower back to be strong in that position, so I suppose it comes with the territory.

VG, what did you find risky? The movement itself? Or were you just using too much weight?

I agree about deadlifts feeling natural. Have I told you how much I love to deadlift?

What's odd is that there's someone else out ther who thinks GMs feel natural and that deads are risky because they bother his/her lower back.

 

[vinylgroover]

I have always had a lower back problem.

I use a weight in which i can get 8-10 reps, so i guess that's not 'too' much weight.

Whenever i do them, i feel a 'pulling' or 'searing' sensation on my right hand lower lumbar area.......the feeling that gives you the impression something is about to snap or give way. I always bend at the knees.

I find deadlifting to be far more 'controlled' than GM's and they also enable you to quickly re-distribute your pulling power to other muscles if you ever get into 'trouble' while doing them. I find i can't do that with GM's.

 

[sk*]

I love deads and gm's!!!! I am scared to go heavy on gm's though, I usually use a low weight and do higher reps.

-sk

 

[natedog]

Oh yes. I do bend my knees. In fact, I barely feel GM's in my lower back at all. It's all hams and a little bit of glutes for me.