Lower Back

[markwjr]

I'm an electrician by trade. I have been spending quite a bit of time up and down ladders lately, and for the second time in the last few weeks I have been crippled by bad muscle spasms on the left and right side of my lumbar, alternately. I have a good massage therapist who helps me out of the episodes, but what I want to know is, can anyone recommend a good lower back exercise to strengthen that area? I keep myself in generally good fitness with a daily strength conditioning and aerobic regimen. Any advice would be appreciated. Thx.

[mtgman]

The straigt leg deadlift is good lower back exercise. You basically just get a barbell or dumbells (don't go too heavy), keep your legs straight (although very slightly bent at the knees), bend at the waist, and come back up. Make sure you KEEP YOUR BACK STRAIGHT (don't let your spine curve), or else you'll get hurt. That exercise is also great for strengthening your hamstrings as well.

[markwjr]

Thanks. I appreciate the advice. I'll give it a try and let you know how it works. I'm assuming feet are shoulder width. My therapist also told me to take stretching a little more seriously which I also have started.

[mtgman]

I'm assuming feet are shoulder width.

Yep. Sorry I left that out.