Lower back pain after Squats

[amaze]

Hi

I get lower back pain after doing heavy squats...

I use a "plastic" weight belt that helps a little, which are the best belts to combat this?

Or any other tips to avoid the massive strain on your lower back?

I always keep my back straight, go to right angels and stick my ass out...

I am squatting 3 x my bodyweight.

cheers.

 

[Zyglamail]

What do you mean by pain? Sharp shooting pain or just muscle pain? If it was sharp shooting type pain, stop and have it checked out. As for muscle pain, my low back knots up like a mofo when I do squats and my low back muscles get sore, which is just plain uncomfortable.

 

[Willyumyum]

if you are getting lower back pain you are bending your torso too far forward.
YUM

 

[ahadpour28]

One of the best things you can do for yourself is toss the belt and learn to activate
your own abs via muscular contraction rather than using an external source which
will hurt you in the long run. Did wonders for my low back and abs.

 

[SAF]

One of the best things you can do for yourself is toss the belt and learn to activate
your own abs via muscular contraction rather than using an external source which
will hurt you in the long run. Did wonders for my low back and abs.

100% AGREED! The weight belt is basically absorbing the pressure exerted on your mid-section during the squat, and in the long run, you abs will suffer for this because they are not doing any work.

Just learn how to squat PROPERLY and you dont need any weight belt. Do not lean forward too much when you are coming up or else you are bringing your back into the picture. I have the same pain you experience, so I know what you mean. Sometimes it just takes a single instance of leaning forward too much to fuck your back up.

After you can squat without a weight belt, try squatting without a neck pad and see how *that* feels. HAHA

SAF

 

[amaze]

its not a sharp shooting pain, more of a "dull ache" and "tightness"...

its just uncomfortable, but it tells me im doing summit wrong?

So the ideal form for a squat is too keep you torso dead straight? no movement?

i though using a belt when doing heavy movements (squat, deadlift etc...) was essential?!

cheers

 

[Zyglamail]

Everyones geometry is different and some people can sit way back so thier back is almost straight up and down, for others(like me) I would fall back on my ass with a boat load of plates on my head. Squats work your back, your abs and just about everything to some degree. I do agree about losing the belt. I never use one, unless going for max, which i never do. My lower back gets one hell of a workout and its uncomfortably sore/stiff(muscle wise), but hell arent all your muslces after a good workout?

 

[ahadpour28]

Using a belt is not essential- do u use a belt when you pick up groceries and lift your
suitcase at the airport- no- so why do it in a gym- make your body not only big but
functionally strong in everyday activities and your pain will go away- as well go see a
chiropractor once a week- no more pain since taking these two actions.

 

[needleboy]

That's why I do smith squats. Free weight squats kill my back trying to stabilize the weight!!!!

 

[Zyglamail]

I use a smith too, but thats because I got a bum knee and the smith allows me to concentrate on using my weaker leg without worrying about toppling over. No one at my gym used to use it for squats, but lately thay are starting too.