Losing weight help you with back pain? Kettle bells also?

dawnellemom
dawnellemom Posts: 76 Member
edited November 18 in Fitness and Exercise
Hello. I'm hoping to hear from a few of you maybe that losing weight really helped with back pain/overall ability to function better. I'm 40, 5'6" and 177 lbs, and I feel like I'm so limited because my back often hurts. My chiropractor (who does help) recommended me starting a kettle bell program. So, I am going to. I gained 40 lbs in 8 years, prior to that I was always healthy. Any insight? Thank you very much.

Replies

  • Bluepegasus
    Bluepegasus Posts: 333 Member
    Kettlebells has helped massively with my bad back. In fact, since starting kettlebells two years ago, I've not had any problems with my back because I have built up my core strength. Make sure you go to a proper class and learn how to use them properly though, you'll do a lot of damage to your back if you don't have the correct form.
  • getupforchange
    getupforchange Posts: 86 Member
    I had two herniated discs a couple of years ago and for me training in general has helped, especially core exercises. I think anything you can do (apart from twisty movements) to get a bit lighter and stronger will help with your back pain but if you have been recommended something in particular that's a great place to start. When I first went back to training after hurting my back I booked 5 sessions with a personal trainer at my gym and asked specifically for someone with expertise in that area. He could then really walk me around the gym and tell me what would be better for my back and what to avoid.

    Back pain is the worst so I really hope you find what works for you.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    Bluepegasus wrote: »
    Kettlebells has helped massively with my bad back. In fact, since starting kettlebells two years ago, I've not had any problems with my back because I have built up my core strength. Make sure you go to a proper class and learn how to use them properly though, you'll do a lot of damage to your back if you don't have the correct form.

    This^
  • dawnellemom
    dawnellemom Posts: 76 Member
    Thank you for these replies. Super encouraging. I didn't mention that I'm single with 7 kids so a class is probably not going to work. But I did purchase a DVD that is specifically on just how to learn how to use them (not a workout). Would this be ok, do you think? I also got the smallest ones (5lbs) to eventually start with.
  • dawnellemom
    dawnellemom Posts: 76 Member
    Ok- that's a good idea- I'll search and see if I can find an intro class or some kind of training session.
  • ew_david
    ew_david Posts: 3,473 Member
    A strong core and strong glutes = decreased back pain. However you get there is up to you.
  • vic0925
    vic0925 Posts: 1 Member
    I'm doing kettlebells too and it's definitely great for your back if you're doing it correctly. I also learned myself from books and different online sources, so I think it's doable if you've got no other option. Just be careful and don't forget to warm up properly and stretch afterwards. In my experience though a 5lb kettlebell might be a bit too low. It's great if you're a begginer for 1 hand excercises, but for the basic 2 hand swing it's gonna be really light, I would go for a 6kg one. Perhaps the best would be if you could try them in a store for yourself and choose the one you're comfortable with. Also one other thing that really helped to get rid of my back pain was an inversion table. One of the best investments of my life. Hope this helps
  • TheCupcakeCounter
    TheCupcakeCounter Posts: 606 Member
    Kettle bells are great because the basic swing move really helps to strengthen the low back that very often gets missed.
    Biggest thing here is make sure you don't start out too heavy of a weight and learn to do them properly.
  • dawnellemom
    dawnellemom Posts: 76 Member
    TheCupcakeCounter wrote: »
    Kettle bells are great because the basic swing move really helps to strengthen the low back that very often gets missed. .

    That's what my chiropractor said!
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    Weight loss and strength training have made my back pain disappear 99%. You need core strengthening, not just low back. It is your total core that supports the back. This can be accomplished with any good exercise program, not just kb. KB swings is a hip exercise more than a low back exercise. TRX is a great tool because every TRX exercise works your core​ in addition to a targeted area.
  • dawnellemom
    dawnellemom Posts: 76 Member
    lorrpb wrote: »
    Weight loss and strength training have made my back pain disappear 99%. You need core strengthening, not just low back. It is your total core that supports the back. This can be accomplished with any good exercise program, not just kb. KB swings is a hip exercise more than a low back exercise. TRX is a great tool because every TRX exercise works your core​ in addition to a targeted area.

    Thank you for the input. And TRX- I'm not sure what that is?
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