Good morning everyone and thanks a ton for joining me in my first official newsletter.

Today I am going to talk about one of the most important things to not do when lifting weights: rounding your lower back.

When lifting weights it is essential that you keep your lower back engaged, strong, and straight. Do NOT let it round. 

While this point holds true for basically every major exercise, it is especially important that you keep your lower back straight during exercises where you bend over or squat down to pick up a weight. (Exercises like deadlifts, squats, and kettle bell swings)

Why? 

Because consistently rounding your lower back during these types of exercises will, in time, lead directly to a herniated disc in your lumber (lower) spine.

How?

I’ll keep this super short, but in essence, when you round your lower back when lifting a weight your intervertebral discs are pushed backward toward the back of your spinal column.

Over time this pressure adds up and the disc will puncture the lining keeping it in place. Once this occurs, you have a herniated disc.

And why is a herniated disc a bad?

Because the herniated disc, once it is protruding out of it’s confined area, pushes directly on the nerve column that runs down your spine.

This pressure then irritates your nerve, which in turn causes discomfort and potentially serious pain throughout the areas the nerve connects to. This is why if you suffer from a herniated disc you will often get shooting pain down your back, through your butt, and into your leg.

So with this in mind, if you are performing any of the major lower body exercises such as a deadlift, squat, or kettlebell swing you absolutely must keep your back straight and strong.  Do not let it round.

That’s it for today.

Until next time,

Zach