Why do curl ups hurt my back?

Author: Kane Powlowski  |  Last update: Thursday, August 7, 2025

Sit-ups activate the hip flexors that pull from the front of the lumbar spine causing compression on tender vertebral discs and causing pain. This forward pull from the hip flexors is called anterior tilting of the pelvis. To learn about common back pain conditions we treat click here.

Why does my back hurt when I do curl ups?

Another example is curving the back too much when lifting, which can stress the lower spine. These are prime examples of why some people may experience lower back pain during ab exercises. Even with the correct form, doing lots of ab exercise too early can lead to lower back pain.

Why does my back hurt when I do curls?

When performed incorrectly, bicep curls pull the shoulder too far forward and strain the back muscles. These mistakes can lead to back pain and injury. Even if your posture has been a problem for years, it's possible to make improvements.

How to do curls without hurting your back?

To avoid these mistakes:
  1. Move only your forearms when lifting the dumbbell. ...
  2. Keep your elbows tucked into your body throughout the whole exercise.
  3. Don't rock your hips from side to side. ...
  4. Pick a lighter weight that allows you to perform all of the repetitions in your set (usually 10-15) without compromising your form.

Why does my back hurt when I do pull ups?

Many of the other muscles involved in a pull-up are connected to your mid and lower back. If they're tight, this might manifest as lower back pain from pull ups. Lower back pain from pull ups can be reduced by stretching and doing some mobility work to warm up first.

Why Do GHD Sit Ups Hurt My Back?

How to do pull-ups without hurting your back?

Hang on the pull-up bar with your arms slightly wider than shoulder width. You can choose the grip, but especially for back training, the upper grip - i.e. with the back of the hand facing you - is the most effective. 2. Now pull yourself up cleanly until your chin is above the pull-up bar.

Are weighted pull-ups bad for your back?

Yes they are very safe and its a closed chain movement with zero spinal loading. The only thing to be careful with is that you warm up properly as weighted pull-ups add much more stress on the joints compared to bodyweight. Furthermore, like in any new exercise don't go too hard on your first few days!

Should you do bicep curls fast or slow?

By lifting and lowering the weight slowly, you engage the muscles for a longer duration, leading to increased time under tension. This prolonged tension can stimulate muscle growth and hypertrophy. Moreover, slow bicep curls can help improve muscle strength and stability.

How to build biceps with a bad back?

Here are 5 bicep exercises that you can do with back pain
  1. Facing Forward Incline Curl.
  2. Lying On Back/Ground Cable Curl.
  3. 1 Arm Cable Curl (Full Stretch & Shortening)
  4. Lying Bicep Cable Curl.
  5. TRX Bicep Curl.

Why does curling up help back pain?

The curl up exercise works on the endurance of the abdominals, important in back support and core stability. Having abdominal muscles with high endurance helps prevent low-back pain.

Is curling bad for your back?

While curling is often thought of as a sport with a low risk for injury, the lunge position used to throw the stone down the ice can lead to low back and knee pain. “This position requires a combination of core strength and hip range of motion,” says Dr. Bassett.

Do bicep curls make your arms bigger?

The best exercise for growing the bicep muscle is any variation of the curl. Curls are best done using a barbell and weights or a set of dumbbells. If you're training in the gym, sitting at a bench or using the preacher curl machine can help to further concentrate tension on the bicep muscle, leading to bigger gains.

Why does my back hurt when curling?

If you overload your biceps by lifting more weight than you're ready for, the muscles of your chest and upper back will get involved, tensing up and potentially causing pain. You should never lift so much weight that it compromises your form in this way.

Why are sit-ups no longer recommended?

One reason is that sit-ups are hard on your back. They push your curved spine against the floor and work your hip flexors, the muscles that run from the thighs to the lumbar vertebrae in the lower back.

Is bicep peak genetic?

When looking at biceps, they are shaped mainly by genetics, so if you have long, flat biceps brachii muscles, you have your parent to thank. But there are ways to give your biceps as much peak as possible.

Are bicep curls worth it?

The Journal of Applied Physiology states that single-joint movements like bicep curls increase strength and size by an extra 10% when added to a programme of multi-joint resistance exercises (read: pull-ups, squats and deads).

Is it better to train biceps with chest or back?

Training biceps with chest allows you to attack biceps from a fresh poison every workout. If you pair the biceps with the back or triceps with the chest, the smaller arm muscles will start their first primary exercise in a fatigued state as they assist the larger muscle group in its exercises.

How much can the average man curl?

The average Barbell Curl weight for a male lifter is 103 lb (1RM). This makes you Intermediate on Strength Level and is a very impressive lift. What is a good Barbell Curl? Male beginners should aim to lift 38 lb (1RM) which is still impressive compared to the general population.

Do slow reps build more strength?

All of the participants were tested for either the 10 repetition-maximum (RM) weightload (regular-speed group) or the 5-RM weightload (slow-speed group). Results: In both studies, Super-Slow training resulted in about a 50% greater increase (p<0.001) in strength for both men and women than regular speed training.

How many bicep curls a day is good?

If your goal is endurance and lean muscle, use a lighter weight and perform one to three sets of 12 to 16 reps with at least one day of rest in between. For maximum results, switch up your workouts. Don't do the exact same routines every session.

Do pullups give you a big back?

YES, THE PULLUP is primarily understood as a back and arm exercise—but if you're doing the movement the right way, this should be a full-body movement. Your mid-back muscles are essential, and your lats are the primary mover.

How many reps for weighted pullups?

For weighted pull-ups, begin by performing 2–3 sets of 5–10 repetitions. Choose your weight, sets, and repetitions based on your ability to maintain good technique throughout all sets and repetitions.

Is a dip belt bad for your back?

One of the main drawbacks of dip belts is the potential risk of injury. Adding too much weight or using improper form can put pressure on the back and shoulders, leading to strain or injury.

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