Okay, so I’ve been dealing with this annoying lower back pain for a while now. It’s not super severe, but it’s always there, nagging at me. I figured it was time to do something about it, so I started looking into exercises and stretches.
Then I remembered my gym membership that I wasn’t using, I decided to check out the gym to see what machines they had that might help. I did some searching before and know that the elliptical machine is a good cardio machine for people with lower back pain. So I started to use the elliptical machine first.
The Elliptical
- Tried the elliptical first since it seemed less intimidating.
- Started slow, just 10 minutes to see how my back felt.
- Felt pretty good, no sharp pains, just a dull ache that I’m used to.
- Increased the time gradually over a week, up to 30 minutes now.
Next Up: The Back Extension Machine
After a week with the elliptical, I felt confident to try other machines. I noticed they had a back extension machine, and I heard those can be good for building lower back muscles. I wasn’t sure how it worked, but a guy who looked like he knew what he was doing showed me the ropes. It seems like this machine really targets the muscles along the spine, which I learned are called erector spinae or something. They help with posture and keeping your spine stable. I give it a try.
- Started with just the weight of the machine, no added plates.
- Did a few sets of 10 reps, focusing on slow, controlled movements.
- Felt a good kind of burn in my lower back, not painful, more like a workout.
- Added a small plate the next time, just to challenge myself a bit.
I’ve been doing this routine now for a few weeks, alternating between the elliptical and the back extension machine. I also looked into rowing machines and multi-gyms for a full-body workout, but I decided to stick with the cardio for now. I’ll try to check these machines next time.
Honestly, I’m already feeling a difference. My back feels stronger, and the constant ache is definitely less noticeable. It’s not gone completely, but I’m hopeful that with continued effort, I can finally kick this back pain to the curb. It’s a good start, I should have started it early.