free weights screwing up my back

blueb

Hi all

Have been lifting for the last 6 months.. 5 days a week, Very happy with my progress so far, nothing but a positive impact on my life except for my back

I have suffered back problems for the last 10 years.. since i was 18. I have been to alot of different treatments which give relief but its a reoccurring problem.

My question is .. if i limit my free weights and do mostly machine work.. chest press, shoulder press, leg press, smith machine ect ect will i still see a decent result or do these machines give a fraction of the results of free weights?
I find these type of machines give me very little back problems.

Thanks in advance

Alf Veedersane

Bad form will contribute to back problems so it might be worth your while having a trainer show you how to do the lifts properly.

blueb

My brother is a personal trainer, he has guided me through a fair few sessions.

Alf Veedersane

If your form is good, then I'd be looking into seeing why the back is hurting from lifting weights, rather than just using machines just because they won't stress it.

blueb

I have been to a few specialists and i know the reasons why my back hurts, i have had this for 10 years so i know all about it, My query is about free weights vs machines, thanks

Alf Veedersane

Ok, just trying to help.

Use machines if you can't use free weights. It depends what constitutes decent results for you but you can get decent results.

SteelyDanJalapeno

imho

Using machines wont engage your back as much because you'll be sitting or in a resting stance mostly, and this while strengthening other muscles it will only cause a greater imbalance and lead to more back problems?

I never understood machines.

blueb

fair point

Hanley

The answer is whatever you want it to be

Nino Brown

TiltedBrain wrote: »

imho

Using machines wont engage your back as much because you'll be sitting or in a resting stance mostly, and this while strengthening other muscles it will only cause a greater imbalance and lead to more back problems?

I never understood machines.

Can't you just use a machine to work the back too?, thereby working all muscles equally. I agree free weights are definitely best, but the results from machines won't be hugely different. IMO machines have a place in every workout regime.

Alf Veedersane

Nino Brown wrote: »

Can't you just use a machine to work the back too?, thereby working all muscles equally. I agree free weights are definitely best, but the results from machines won't be hugely different. IMO machines have a place in every workout regime.

In theory, yes.

But there aren't machines to hit the back muscles in the range of ways you can with free weights.

blueb

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in1hwXytpfM

blueb

Hanley wrote: »

The answer is whatever you want it to be

Deep

blueb

what machines can be used to work/strengthen your back ?

Alf Veedersane

Rows and pulldowns mostly.

papu

blueb wrote: »

what machines can be used to work/strengthen your back ?

I found strengthening my core helped so much with my back problems, I did pilates for about a year.

Nino Brown

blueb wrote: »

what machines can be used to work/strengthen your back ?

As mentioned rows and pulldowns, but I use the cable crossover machine for my back a lot also.

Mellor

What does your current routine look like? what exercises hurt your back?
What did you brother say when you mentioned machines?


IMHO, if you form is failing back straining your back with free weights then its unlikely to suddenly be eliminated on machines.

CrazySka

Hate them gym fails videos

Have you considered (as said above), alternative exercise mixed in with a smaller amount of machine weights, bodyweight exercise programs, calisthenics, Pilates, yoga even, with the long term goal of strengthening your core/improving flexibility to aid in easing the back problems?

Or will that have any effect on the condition you suffer from at all?

If lifting weights is hurting you then (saying this at the tail end of 6 months of physio and work on my shoulders) then would you not be better addressing the underlying issue as much as possible? And if theres no solution as such finding a way to work around it by improving the areas that would assist in the support of the problem areas?

Actually in a much shorter answer I'd say engage a trainer/movement specialist with experience of training people with limited mobility or issues with their body.