Group: General Fitness & Exercise

General Fitness & Exercise
Created: 2011/12/31, Members: 383, Messages: 54581

Various general exercise related discussions. Find out what it takes to reach your fitness goals through daily effective exercise. With so many options we try to find out what works best.

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Good mornings......

bropie
bropie
Posts: 1,084
Joined: 2004/12/04
Canada
2004/12/16, 10:41 PM
I've heard this lower back/ham exercise is hard on your spine, and can wear down the cartilage between your discs. Is this common after repeated use, or is more just a risk of an improper form?
tenorsaxmandave
tenorsaxmandave
Posts: 538
Joined: 2003/01/23
United States
2004/12/16, 11:00 PM
I've never heard that, Bropie, but I'm not the expert here. I sometimes do GMs, but my word of caution is to use very light weight and exceptional form. Like all exercises, the point is to stress the muscles sufficiently without injuring yourself.

I recall (???) that BB1 may have suggested hyperextensions as a much safer alternative, but I'm not sure if he felt it was due to potential cartilage damage or just general safety (GMs can be very awkward and dangerous if not done properly)... YO BB1! HELP!

Regardless, be very careful when doing GMs. You may want to ask your physician, too, if you have any reservations or specific concerns. It would also be good for your doc to make sure that everything is in order with your spine (mechanically) to handle this type of exercise (or any type for that matter).

Welcome aboard, and good luck.

TSMD
bropie
bropie
Posts: 1,084
Joined: 2004/12/04
Canada
2004/12/16, 11:23 PM
thanks for the input TSMD
thecrad
thecrad
Posts: 5
Joined: 2004/12/31
Ireland
2005/01/01, 09:23 AM
Just a note i do them and find them very good form is crucial. I was reading article other day on bruce lee training he uesd to do them and was lifting 135 pounds one day without warm up and hurt his back and apparently it was never right after.

Adrian